Joanne Brown Setzer

Joanne Brown Setzer, 75, passed away peacefully in her sleep on October 11th, 2014 in Sonoma after a courageous ten month battle with brain cancer. Born on November 7th 1938 to Pete and Bernice Hutson, Joanne spent the first 29 years of her life in Kansas City, Missouri and Oklahoma. After having her three children- Kenneth, Randall, and Lisa- Joanne moved the family out west, settling in Orinda, California. For a number of years, she owned The Cupola, a boutique in Lafayette, and volunteered within the Orinda community.

In 1981, Joanne met the love of her life, Jack Setzer, and together they relocated to Sonoma, California. There, Joanne became an active member of the Sonoma community and worked as an operational manager of a wholesale gift retailer, and later volunteered at the Sonoma Valley Visitor’s Bureau. Joanne was an avid tennis player and enjoyed playing Mah Jongg with her friends, decorating her beautiful home, and walking her yellow lab.

Joanne is predeceased by her parents and husband. She is survived and will be missed by her three children, her three stepsons, her two sisters, her ten grandchildren and one great-granddaughter, her daughters-in-law, her many wonderful friends, and of course, her beloved Casea Biscuit.

Joanne was truly one of the most beautiful souls to grace this world. She cherished her many friends and was a caring and wonderful mother. Known to her grandchildren as “Grammy Jo,” she took pride in being the best grandmother anyone could ask for. In the face of her battle with cancer, she remained courageous and positive, and was admirable in her fight. She inspired all who had the privilege of knowing her, and she could always light up a room with her beautiful smile and contagious laughter. For that, she will always be remembered as our sunshine.

A celebration of Joanne’s life will be held on her birthday, Friday, November 7th, 12:00pm-3:00pm at her home at 142 Mission Terrace in Sonoma. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her memory to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center to benefit brain cancer research. (http://www.fredhutch.org/en/ways-to-give.html).