Our Valentine, Joan Price Anawalt, was born Feb. 14, 1934.
Her strength, fierce loyalty and innovativeness were beautifully matched by her elegance, compassion and loving nature. This special combination of traits played out magically throughout her life.
Joan grew up in California and graduated from USC, where she was vice-president of the student body and chosen to be Helen of Troy, for outstanding service and scholarship.
She became a teacher, and quickly moved on to the job of raising four daughters: Allyn Stewart, Kathryn McCormack, Hillary Peterson and Tifney Stewart Mann. They clearly did not slow her down because she went on to found the wildly successful Pasadena Showcase Design House, the first ever that inspired countless others around the country, all raising funds for great causes. Later, she received her MBA from Pepperdine while leading human resources at the American Golf Corp.
Joan was a world traveler and adventurer. She served on the board of the Pacific Crest Outward Bound, which led her to climb Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Elbrus. Yet, she mostly loved nestling at home with family. Sun Valley was her true home, a place she had come to know in college and returned to later in life. The community of Sun Valley offered the perfect balance of family, beloved friends, the arts and nature. Her life blossomed in these cherished mountains, where she met her husband, Hal Anawalt, while skiing in the Mountain Masters program.
Joan was deeply involved in this special community, which became her home for more than 25 years. Among her many contributions, she was co-president of the board for the Sun Valley Center for the Arts and on the board for the Idaho Nature Conservancy.
Over the last two years, she spent her time enjoying what mattered most to her. She attended grandchildren’s sporting events, graduations and family vacations and dinners. She reached out to dear friends, took walks on the beach and enjoyed a miraculous return to Sun Valley.
She was an incredible inspiration to her children and seven grandchildren, as well as Hal’s four children, 10 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. She modeled integrity, passion and excellence, living the motto “where there is a will there is a way.” To the very end, she was a seeker of knowledge, remaining open to the many different ways of living life.
Joan’s heart and support went out to the most vulnerable members of our community. If you would like to make a donation in her honor, please consider The Advocates. You will provide support, healing and shelter services to children who have experienced or witnessed abuse, and continue Joan’s legacy of compassion: The Advocates, PO Box 3216, Hailey, ID 83333.
There will be a celebration of Joan’s life the end of July in Sun Valley.
Joan Price Anawalt
