Joanne Bowden Pruitt

Joanne Bowden Pruitt

Joanne Bowden Pruitt, 84, of Kent, Washington, died peacefully on January 18, 2010, at the Linden Grove Health Care Center in Puyallup of complications following pneumonia. Joanne, the daughter of the late Ambrose H. and Mary Files Bowden, was born in Oakfield, Maine, and moved with her three siblings to Seattle in 1932 following the death of their mother. She graduated from Franklin High School in 1942 and later studied journalism at the University of Washington. In 1945, she married Arnold Johansson, and worked at the Seattle Times and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer while he studied medicine at UW. He became a physician in 1954, and the Johanssons moved to Puyallup where they resided until their divorce in 1973. Joanne returned to work at J.C. Penney in Bremerton and Tukwila and retired from that company in 1987. In 2001, Joanne married Melvin Pruitt, who passed away in 2006. Joanne was an active philanthropic leader in Puyallup, an avid bridge player, and for many years was an accomplished amateur golfer. She was also a consummate hostess. She was active in the state Republican party most of her life. She is survived by her daughters, Kathryn Powell of Tacoma and Kristine (Jewel) Goddard of Olympia; a step-son, Mark Pruitt of Seattle; a sister, Rosemary (Richard) Huey of Camano Island; and by five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her sister, Lorraine (Eugene) Hasse, and her brother, Eugene Bowden. There will be a family reunion and memorial celebration in early August. Condolences may be sent to Marlatt Funeral Home, 713 Central Avenue North, Kent, WA 98032.