Obituary of Joni Marie Charboneau

Joni Marie Charboneau Joni Marie Charboneau passed away at home Jan 6, 2008, after an eleven year journey with breast cancer. She fought bravely for life until the very end. Born and raised in Everett, WA Joni graduated from Everett High School with a music scholarship in voice. She attended Central Washington State University and graduated with a B.A. in Education from Western Washington University. Joni was a member of the WWU alumni board for many years. At Evergreen State College Joni earned a Masters Degree in Public Administration. At the Washington State Legislature Joni worked as a lobbyist on issues for the disability community, women's issues, and later as a strong advocate for breast cancer awareness. After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 1996, she became a strong voice for advocating increased funding for the statewide breast and cervical screening program for mammograms for low income and underinsured women. Each legislative session Joni would organize information and pink ribbon pins for the legislators to increase awareness for funding the breast cancer screening program in the state budget. Joni had a passion for politics at all levels. Since high school she worked on many political campaigns for local, legislative, state, and national public offices. Organizing grass root efforts was especially important for her. Joni also worked on numerous statewide initiative campaigns. She was a precinct committee officer and a delegate to numerous state party conventions. Joni had many varied interests. She loved gardening, decorating, making custom gifts for friends, and cooking. She loved to entertain. She and her partner Jeff would give large parties - always with a theme. They would collect stuffed animals at Easter for Child Haven and toys at Christmas. Many food items and donations were given to Barb O'Neil's holiday meals program for those in need. Joni and Jeff enjoyed traveling, especially in their camper with their beloved dog Morgan always with them. Always the activist Joni organized many teams to walk in the Race for the Cure and collected donations for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. She also organized teams to walk in the City of Hope Breast Cancer Awareness Day at the Westfield Mall. Joni traveled to Washington DC and met with each of Washington State's congressional delegation stressing the need for increased funding for breast cancer research and local screening programs. She organized the first breast cancer awareness day at the Washington State Legislature bringing women from all over the state to Olympia, to lobby their respective legislators. With special thank you to the nurses and staff of the Oncology units at Group Health Seattle and the Chemotherapy unit at Olympia Group Health as well as the Urgent Care unit - your excellent care and concern were invaluable. You all became like family. To Dr. Eric Feldman of Group Health Central in Seattle, words cannot express how much your sincere efforts and compassionate care meant to Joni for so many years. To special friends Beth, Paul, Michaela, and good friend Faith thank you for your love and support. And now at journey's end, without pain or fear, Be Free Dear Sister, Be Free. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Sunday, Jan 27 at 2PM at Funeral Alternatives, 455 North St SE, Tumwater, WA. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Team Survivors Northwest Seattle, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, or Lance Armstrong Foundation. Please leave memories and condolences by clicking on "View Guestbook" below.