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Joan Ellen Frasier, 69

Joan Ellen Frasier passed away peacefully after a fight with cancer, on Sunday, July 21, 2019, at her home in Coeur d’Alene, surrounded by her wife, Maryann Smith; her son, and her friends. She was 69 years old.

Joan was born in Beaumont, Texas, and was raised for much of her childhood in San Francisco. It was in school that she met her future husband, the late Brent Chatham, and gave birth to her son.

In 1996, she moved north, eventually making her home in Coeur d’Alene, where she met her wife, Maryann Smith. Together, they loved to camp, rockhound, and fish with their grandsons, Jacob and R.J. Smith. Joan loved creating smudge fans and helping Maryann at her shop, Gaia’s Rocks’n Crystals, where she would entertain children while their parents shopped. She was a student of Native American history, lore and spirituality, and embraced her Chickasaw ancestry.

Throughout her life she worked as a CNA, a refinery worker and a trucker. Everywhere she went, the people who met her loved her. She approached everyone with open arms and was always able to see the good side of people. She always made others comfortable with her smile and warm presence.

Joan leaves behind her wife; her son and daughter-in-law, Sean Chatham and Alison Denno of Providence R.I.; her stepson, Michael Smith of Coeur d’Alene; her stepson, Justin Smith and his fiance, Riki Forsman of Lewiston, Idaho; and her grandsons, Jacob Smith of Vail, Colo., and R.J. Smith of Hauser, Idaho.

Joan’s family would like to thank the staff at Crest Hospice for their kind and compassionate care during her last few weeks. Per her wishes, there will be a potluck celebration of her life held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 27, 2019, at the Shriners Club Event Center, 1250 W. Lancaster Road, Hayden, Idaho.

Yates Funeral Home Has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements.