Joan Marie Moore Eriksen

Joan Marie Moore Eriksen died peacefully on July 16, 2026. She was 95 years old.

Joan was born at her grandmother’s maternity home in Napa, CA, on October 7, 1930, to Jack Richard Moore and Gladys Granatelli Moore. She spent her early years among extended family in Napa and Vallejo. Then, she moved frequently for a few years as her father, like many young men in the Depression, sought work wherever it was available.

In 1938, Joan moved to Ukiah when her father was hired as the head butcher at the Mendocino State Hospital. She began the third grade at Ukiah Grammar School, making a circle of friends she kept through high school and beyond.

Joan graduated from Ukiah High School with the class of 1948, proud to be a life member of the California Scholastic Federation, Block U and only the second girl to be elected Student Body President.

Joan worked as a secretary, first at Ukiah High School for Principal William Chessall and later at Cable TV.

After marrying and starting her family, Joan decided to realize her dream of a college education. Semester after semester, she attended night classes offered in Ukiah until she earned her AA from Santa Rosa JC in 1973 and her BA from Sonoma State in 1983.

Her own experience of the value of a local option for higher education underlay Joan’s commitment to Mendocino Community College where she served on the Board of Trustees for more than 20 years. Joan was active in many civic groups including the AAUW, the Ukiah High Alumni Association, the Ukiah Democratic Club and the PTA.

Joan enjoyed traveling, playing bridge and other card games and reading.

Joan was preceded in death by her beloved parents, her aunt Beverly Tilley and her husband Ted Eriksen Jr. She is survived by her daughters Felicia Eriksen of Ukiah and Stacia (Stephen) Peterson of Santa Rosa, her son Christopher Eriksen of Ukiah, her grandson Logan (Noelle) Peterson of Santa Rosa and great grandson Noah; her brother-in-law Floyd (Lois) Eriksen, nieces Liz and Meg, and nephew Tim, all of Ukiah and several cousins in Santa Rosa.

Her funeral will take place at 10 am on Friday, July 31, at Holy Trinity Episcopal church (640 Orchard Avenue), where Joan had been an active parishioner since March 1953. Father Ed Howell will be the celebrant. Burial in her family plot at the Russian River Cemetery will follow the service and a lovely luncheon reception will be provided.