Joan Louise (Ellis) Ingram (2024)

It is with great sadness that we must report the passing of Miss Joan Louise Ingram of Grass Valley, California. Joan passed away at Mercy Hospital in Carmichael, California on February 28, 2024. She was 86.Joan was born Joan Louise Ellis, in Manhattan, NY, on September 29, 1937 and enjoyed her childhood in the Bronx and Queens, New York. In 1950 Joan moved to San Jose, California with her mother & sister, Miriam. Joan graduated from Lincoln High School in San Jose. She then married her first husband in 1956 and had four children.Joan was pre-deceased by her father Joseph B. Ellis of New Jersey, her mother Bess Spector born of Ukraine, her first born son who passed away at birth (“Mark”), and her beloved husband Russell “Pat” Ingram of Grass Valley. She is survived by her sister, Miriam Atlas, of San Jose. Although she was proud of her New York roots and was thriving in San Jose, Joan’s true love was Grass Valley and the home she and her beloved Pat made in Nevada County.Joan was also very proud of her family and is survived by her (3) remaining children: Terri, Naomi and Daniel. (We should also include her VERY sweet boxer pup, Kelly who is now living her life happily with Joan’s daughter Naomi on her beautiful property in the Oregon forest!) It is through her children that Joan was blessed with her (9) Grandchildren: Sol, Alex, Anthony, Jessica, Adam, Josh, Serena, Rachel and Shawn. From here, more blessings came in the form of Great Grandchildren, to which Joan had (14): Ava, Juliet, Levi, Emily, Adrian, Taitum, Jaxson, Thomas, Isabelle, Abigail, Robert, Claire, Aria & Rowan. As a woman of many talents and interests, Joan had many careers and hobbies throughout her days. She was a meat wrapper and proud member of the butcher’s union, she owned a pet store, “The Place for Pets,” which was a local favorite in Sunnyvale California, she dabbled in real estate and had quite a knack for jewelry sales with her exquisite eye and taste.For her entire life, Joan had shown great passion for animals and in dogs. Her true passion, though, was in boxers as she owned, bred and showed them for many, many years as the owner of U-Bet Boxers. She was very proud of her work and her dogs and was an active member of the Sacramento Valley Boxer Club as both a member and board member for many years.She was an avid reader, loved to knit, absolutely loved her puzzles and was passionate about music, musical theater, Broadway theater, singing and playing the piano. Some of her favorites include Casablanca, Brigadoon, Victor Borge, Barbara Streisand and Gene Kelly. These passions have contributed to the incredible memories that her children and grand children are gifted with, for the rest of their days.Joan’s heart was bigger than most could understand and was an incredibly philanthropic & passionate person, supporting many charitable organizations which she felt passionate about. Some of her favorites include: March of Dimes, Shriner’s Children, The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, The Judicial Watch, World Jewish Congress, Hadassah, AIPAC, National Parks Conservation Association, World Wildlife Federation, California State Parks Foundation, Audubon, ASPCA, Paws of Honor, United States Deputy Sheriff’s Association, Macular Degeneration AssociationAnd, if you were lucky enough to have known her, then you’d have received one of her very special, very specifically-chosen-only-for-you birthday cards without fail. every year. She never missed a birthday card for those who she loved!In honor of her faith, Joan’s burial took place immediately following her passing. She was laid to rest with family at the Oak Hill Jewish Cemetery, located in the Oak Hill Funeral Home & Memorial Park in San Jose, California.To keep up with traditions of her Jewish Faith, an unveiling of her headstone will take place one year from the time of her passing. We will be holding a Celebration of Life at this time for those who wish to celebrate Joan, her life, her legacy and her memory. Please contact Joan’s Granddaughter Jessica, for any questions you may have about the details around Joan’s services. (jjobrack@yahoo.com)In lieu of sending flowers or gifts, please consider making a donation to one of Joan’s favorite organizations in her honor, which are listed above.