Published: May 04, 2008 12:27 am            

JoAnn Dryden Rule

JoAnn of Monroe Washington was born in Stillwater, the fourth of seven children, on Oct. 28, 1933 and died peacefully in Everett, Wash., on Thursday, April 29, 2008. She was preceded in death by her parents Dolli May and Marion Clinton Dryden, her sister Lorene Olds, her in-laws Paul and Hazel Rule and many other family and friends.

After graduating from Stillwater High School, she met John Woodall and they married in 1955. They moved to Santa Fe, N.M., where they had three children. In 1962, the family moved to Seattle. After parting with John in 1964, she met the love of her life, Robert Rule. When they married in 1966, their friends joked that it was about time they got married — after all they had 7 children — ages 5 to 9. She did an amazing job of assuring that all felt well cared for and loved. In 1971, they moved to Monroe where they had opened Thunderbird Park Campground. She managed the park until it was sold on the last day of 1989. After Robert retired from Boeing in 1990 they traveled to many places including visiting her family in Oklahoma and having fun in Reno, Florida, Hawaii and Mexico. In addition to spending time with her family and friends, she enjoyed bowling — playing in leagues for several decades — country music, southwest decor and for many years she arranged her TV schedule around the Mariners, Seahawks, Sonics and Storm.

She is survived by her family who already miss her so much. Her husband Robert, her children: Linda Sue Woodall, Margaret Birgen, Richard (Karen) Woodall, Kathleen Rule, David Rule, Larry (Lisa) Rule and Kathryn (Mike) Ballinger. She was known to her grandchildren of whom she was so proud, as “Mom Mom”: Dia, Brad, Brandon, Casey, Villina, Ashley, Savannah, Andrea, Paul, Danielle, Tanner, Brooke, Kaylee and Jaden. Her siblings in Oklahoma and Texas: John Dryden, Zelma Jardot, Clara Rae Whisenant, Mary Ruth Harrison, Rose Marie Jones and several nieces and nephews.

At her request, there will be no services. Donations may be made to the Monroe Fire Department, 163 Village Court, Monroe, Wash., 98272. We welcome your memories and invite you to share them with us at http://joann-rule.memory-of.com.

She cherished the friends she made over the years, her neighbors, bowling teammates and friends from Thunderbird Park. To honor her memory please share your friendship with someone new.

        

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