Joy Anne Rawlinson, 84, of Oak Harbor, passed away Jan. 9, 2010, at Homeplace Special Care Center of Oak Harbor, following a lengthy illness.

Joy was born in Chicago on Feb. 5, 1925. She was raised in the Chicago area and graduated from high school there. Joy later moved to Southern California, where she resided in both North Hollywood, and later Oceanside for a number of years. She had been employed as a medical administrator for doctor’s offices in several locations until her retirement in 1995. Joy moved to Olympia and then to Oak Harbor to be near her daughter. She was a member of Presbyterian churches, and then Westwood Baptist Church in Olympia.

Joy was gifted musically, and played classical piano, sang opera and was a member of church choirs. She enjoyed crossword puzzles and golf, and had a special love for her dogs.

Joy is survived by her three children: Linda Riffe (Noel) of Oak Harbor, Bruce Rawlinson of Woodinville and Dorrit Rhodes (Rick) of Cypress, Calif.; four grandchildren, Holly Riffe of Moose, Wyo., Tony Riffe of Astoria, Ore., Lynsey Rawlinson of Portland, Ore., and Regan Butcher (Matt) of Scottsdale, Ariz.; brother, Charles McLendon of Kooskia, Idaho; and sister, Diana Perkins (Brad) of Grangeville, Idaho. She was preceded in death by a brother, Harmon McLendon.

Private services are being planned for a later date. Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimers Association of Washington, P.O. Box 4101, Bellingham, WA 98227. Family and friends are encouraged to sign the online guest register at www.whidbeymemorial.com. Arrangements by of Whidbey Memorial Funeral and Cremation Service, Inc., Oak Harbor.