Joanna M. Kilmartin, 95

Mom kept her “Date” Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012, meeting up with “Killy,” her husband of nearly 65 years. Their family is sure the two of them cut their usual image of style and grace as they once again Waltzed together ever so smoothly, Dad in Full Dress Marine uniform and Mom in her finest Chiffon dress.

Joanna (Johana) Miller Kilmartin was born in Aalborg, Denmark, on June 29, 1917, to Niels John Miller and Maren Thomsen Miller. She passed through Immigration on Ellis Island in her parents’ arms at the age of 3 and, after working their way across America, they settled in Hollywood/Beverly Hills, Calif., where Mom grew up on Marmont Lane in the shadow of the newly constructed Chateau Marmont (1927). What an exciting time to be a teen, riding the bus down Sunset Boulevard to a Movie Premier or a Soda at Schwabs Drugs.

Joanna was a Kappa Delta co-ed at UCLA when she met a dashing young Marine Lieutenant, her beloved Frank “Killy” Kilmartin, at a parade. Young Lieutenant Kilmartin survived the usual “screening” process by Joanna’s Father, Niels, by drinking NIELS “under the table” as Mom prepared for their date. NOT a simple or easy feat with a true “Viking” of a Danish Father.

The relationship flourished, culminating with their wedding in 1937 at the Episcopal Cathedral on Franklin and Highland in Hollywood after Joanna had taken a trip with her parents to their Danish homeland and witnessed the winds of war in Europe. Those winds soon carried her young Marine Captain to the South Pacific and “Jo” kept the home fires burning for two years until his return.

The family soon rounded out with the arrival of sons Ron and Frank and they moved quite a bit from Marine Base to Marine Base until 1956 when Colonel and Mrs. F.L. Kilmartin retired from the service, eventually settling in the Los Angeles area, where “Killy” taught school and Joanna involved herself in community activities, eventually becoming president of the Northridge Women’s Club. They retired again, following their sons to Coeur d’Alene, where they continued their involvement in local affairs and leaving a wide swath of friends, co-horts and acquaintances. This practice finally culminated in the Grand Celebration of their Golden Wedding Anniversary for which celebrants came from near and far to attend and show their appreciation of an exemplary marriage.

Her “Killy” passed away in his own bed (and his loved ones’ arms) in 2005 and Joanna relocated to Portland, Ore., to enjoy the support of her sons and their families. She was a resident of Summerfield, an Adult Community that embraced her and recognized her as “A Dynamic Lady.”

The cancer she had so bravely and remarkably fought several times before claimed our Dear Matriarch at 6:05 a.m. She had come home from the hospital to be surrounded by her family and with her little cat “KiKi” constantly curled between her legs. The caregivers of Hospice were attending she and her family with kindness and dignity.

Joanna is survived by her sons, Robert N. and Frank L. Kilmartin (with Lee), both of Tigard, Ore.; grandchildren, Matthew “Magruder” Kilmartin (and wife Kristie) of Tualatin, Ore., Amanda Maren “Peanut” Kilmartin (with Aaron) of Portland, Ore., Kelsey Niels “KELS!” Kilmartin (with Jules), Jesse Caleb “Jazzbo” Kilmartin (and wife Roxanne), and Tonya and Jon Olson, all of North Idaho. Joanna took a very special pride in her great-grandchildren, Jacob and Emily Kilmartin of Tualatin, and Jared, Christopher and Brooke Olson of Coeur d’Alene.

Among her Honorary children for whom her heart beat was: Mike and Glenda Walters of Summerfield, Laura Kilmartin of Coeur d’Alene, Diane and Bruce Ward of Arroyo Grande, Calif., Don and Cindy Thomas of Sandpoint, and Jim McMillen, and an honored “Sister,” Carita Johns, both of Coeur d’Alene.

“God Bless you ALL.”

Service will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, 2012, at Forest Cemetery in Coeur d’Alene with a reception to follow at the Shilo Inn, 702 W. Appleway, Coeur d’Alene. The family requests no flowers or donations please.