Joanne Anita Scott

JoAnne Anita Scott (January 18, 1933 – August 8, 2023) entered this world 90 years ago in San Francisco, the eldest of four children born to Anita Charles and Frank Murdock Sr. Her parents met in San Francisco when her mother was in the city working and her father had just arrived in S.F. after graduating from Haskell Indian Boarding School in Kansas. JoAnne’s mother Anita was Yurok and her father Frank was a member of the Sokaogon Chippewa Community of the Mole Lake Band of Lake Superior Chippewa in Wisconsin. Maternal grandparents were Susie Wauteck and Lagoon Charles, Paternal grandparents were Mary Poler and William Murdock.

JoAnne passed away peacefully in her home and was preceded in death by her parents Anita and Frank Murdock Sr., her late husband Wallace Scott, Sr., children Judith Lorentzen, Pamela Myers, Laurence Whitlatch, sister Jean Stanshaw, grandchildren Christie Love Ferris, Garrick Scott, Rebecca McKinnon, Michelle Lorentzen, great-granddaughter Kepcenich Aubrey.

JoAnne is survived by her children Anita Scott, Mary Jo Peets (Larry), Kathy Ferris, Wallace Scott Jr., Wesley Scott Sr., siblings Susie Painter (Matthew), Frank Murdock Jr. (Marjorie), grandchildren Lillian Hostler, Laurence Myers, Kimberly Peets, Travis White, Jessica Fawn Canez, Stanley Ferris Jr., Joseph Ferris, Daniel McDonald Scott, Chvski Jones-Scott, Nantsvn Jones-Scott, Teexeeshe Scott, Haley Scott, Wesley Scott Jr., Nekichwey Scott, Tohtehl Scott, 24 great-grandchildren, 8 great-great-grandchildren.

JoAnne graduated from Eureka High School in 1951 and was given the recognition from her graduating class as being the most athletic female. She was a life-long lover of sports, especially softball which she continued to play into her 60’s with a senior citizen slow-pitch league.

JoAnne was involved in her various interests over the years – art classes, working every voting season for many years as a voting day polling volunteer, volunteered at the Legion Hall in Arcata and McKinleyville, was an active member for many years in the McKinleyville Moose Lodge - her portrait is hanging on the club wall to this day. She loved animals and some of her favorites was Molly the goat, Princess Ratina, Red Baron, Bruce Lee, generations of baby skunks that visited her back porch every year and even the neighbors’ two peacocks who would come visit her front porch regularly because they knew she would feed them grapes.

As a life-long learner who went back to school after most of her children were grown, JoAnne became a Registered Nurse and was able to attend the Nursing Program alongside her daughter Judy. In her retired years JoAnne went back to school again and graduated from Humboldt State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Native American Studies.

The family appreciates the kindness and care received from Dr. Antoinette Martinez and Sandra Trabue, Community Health Representative at United Indian Health Services, and her niece Darla Marshall for always taking the time to celebrate special days, shopping trips and other outings with her Auntie JoAnne.

Pallbearers: Frank Murdock III, Travis White, Stanley Ferris Jr., Joseph Ferris, Nantsvn Jones-Scott, Wesley Scott Jr., Teshy Scott, Cha’Keni White, Ch’Mook McCovey, Whi’Kil McCovey, Matthew “Pride” Painter Jr, Mathew Swanson, Lonnie Dean, Al Kenny Dean, Robert Woods, Bering-C Sienicki, Delmar Allen Jr., Laurance Myers.

Honorary Pallbearers: Frank Murdock Jr., Joseph Murdock, Matthew Painter Sr., Robert McGahuey, Emil Marshall, Lance Lorentzen.

Services will be held on August 15, 2023 at 11 a.m. at Paul’s Chapel in Arcata. JoAnne Scott will be laid to rest at the Trinidad Cemetery and reception will follow at the Trinidad Town Hall.

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