Joan Gibson McLain

Joan Gibson McLain

May 3, 1941 – Nov. 1, 2022

Joan Gibson McLain left us in this life on Nov. 1, 2022, to live eternally with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She lived for 81 years.

Joan was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., to William and Barbara Gibson and was the oldest of five children in this busy doctor's family. She had the joy of living an extremely happy childhood and growing years, playing and learning with friends and family.

While in Edgewood Elementary School, Joan noted that a tall, gangly boy seemed to pay a lot of attention to her and learned that his name was Paul McLain. They became friends, later dated off and on, and by the time of graduation Mc and Gibby were a couple in their closely-knit high school class.

Joan attended Lake Forest College and then transferred to the University of Pittsburgh when she and Paul were married. The two were blessed with Barbara and then Bruce during their years of working and studying in college and then medical school and residency in the Philadelphia area.

During military service, Joan stayed in Arizona with the children while Paul served as an Army medical officer in Vietnam. After discharge, they moved to the countryside near the small wheat farming town of Davenport, Wash. There they spent 30 wonderful years nurtured by the people of Davenport and the surrounding community, Paul in Family Practice, and Joan always close by his side, supporting and encouraging the growth of their children, and making a warm and welcoming home for family and friends.

Joan was always active in the Presbyterian Church, teaching Sunday school, singing in the choir, working with church service committees, and ruling as an elder. At home, she spent many happy hours tending her large vegetable gardens and enjoyed giving swim lessons to children of the community. Joan was a proficient seamstress who made many of her own fine clothes and gave many of her finished projects as gifts. She loved designing and making quilts and had a business in her home doing machine quilting for others. She was well-known as an excellent cook. She enjoyed antique and fabric shopping with friends. When she and Paul felt called to mission service, Joan assisted in the administration of a mission hospital as the two of them ministered in Haiti for four years. On return in 2005, they moved to Walla Walla, where Joan again took pleasure in establishing their home and being widely active in the Walla Walla Presbyterian Church. She had many treasured friends both in Davenport and in Walla Walla. She loved working quietly in her home, her yard, and her flower and vegetable gardens, and doing sewing, baking, and quilting for others.

Throughout her life, Joan cherished her family. She frequently shared memories and visits with her siblings, and she deeply loved and took pride in the lives of her children and their families, especially her two new grandchildren. Joan ran her race with joy, gave the world God's love and grace, and left those who knew her better people.

She is survived by her husband and best friend of 62 years, Paul L. McLain; daughter, Barbara H. McLain-Snow (David); son, Bruce L. McLain (Heather); brother, Robert P. Gibson; and grandchildren, Nathanael and Sierra McLain. She was preceded in death by her parents, William E. and Barbara P. Gibson; brother, Thomas W. Gibson; and two sisters, Barbara C. Gibson and Ann E. Gibson.

A private family graveside interment will be followed by a public memorial service at Noon on Sat.,

Dec. 3, 2022, at Walla Walla Presbyterian Church, with a reception to follow.

Memorial contributions may be made to Christian Aid Center, Providence St. Mary Foundation, or a charity of choice through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder St., Walla Walla, WA 99362. In addition, friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at http://www.herringgroseclose.com.