Joan M. DeMille, 81, of Oak Harbor, died April 30, 2007, in Federal Way. She was born in Cheswold, Del., on Aug. 26, 1925, to William A. and Lora F. (Fitzgerald) McWilliams. She grew up in Dover, before her father’s military service brought the family to Riverside, Calif., where she graduated from Riverside Poly Tech High School. While attending Santa Barbara City College she met and married Marvin DeMille of Riverside.

Her husband was a naval aviator and was stationed at NAS Whidbey in 1957, which brought them to Oak Harbor. After falling in love with the Island they bought The Kennel (a local restaurant) and made Oak Harbor their home.

Joan was very active in the community. She was a member of the Polly Harpole Hospital Guild, a charter member of Soroptimists, and sat on the Shoreline Preservation Commision.

She loved traveling, camping, gardening, and playing the piano. She enjoyed painting with water colors and painted some of the great old sites of Oak Harbor.

She is survived by her children Bruce DeMille (and his wife Gail) of Federal Way, Gary DeMille of Kent, and Mary Lu Turpin (and her husband Bill) of La Quinta, Calif.; grandchildren Todd DeMille of Renton, Deanna Spiegel of Coal Valley, Ill., and Dixie Faber of La Quinta, Calif.; great-grandchildren Kylie and Justin Spiegel; brother Bill McWilliams of Laurel, Del., and sister Shirley January of Rehoboth Beach, Del.

She was preceded in death by both parents, and her husband Marvin.

A memorial service was held May 4 at First United Methodist Church in Oak Harbor. Private family graveside service at Maple Leaf Cemetery.

The family suggests memorial contributions may be made in her name to Home Health Care & Hospice of Whidbey General Hospital, 101 N. Main St., Coupeville, WA 98239.