Obituary of Shirley Joanne Rogers

Shirley Joanne Woodruff Rogers “JOANNE” Our beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother and aunt left us suddenly the morning of April 20th. She is survived by her husband of almost 52 years, Rollie Rogers; her two brothers, Bob Woodruff and wife Sarah (Eugene, Oregon), Dave Woodruff and wife Sue (Eugene, Oregon); three adult children, Debora Scott and husband Mike (Seattle, Washington) Doug Rogers and wife Erin (Beaverton, Oregon) and Mark Rogers and wife Lindsay (Redmond, WA); and 5 grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many, many wonderful friends. Joanne was born on July 10th, 1935 in Brownsville, Oregon, and moved with her family shortly afterward to a dairy farm in Coburg, OR, where she lived until she left to attend college at the University of Oregon. The farm is still in the family and is managed by her brother Bob, and sons Jeff and Jason. While at the University of Oregon, Joanne joined the Alpha Chi Omega sorority where she met her sorority sister (Jody Rogers) who would become her best friend and sister-in-law. Young Rollie Rogers had recently joined the navy as a career officer and came back for shore leave to visit his sister. While he was in town, she set up her brother Rollie on a blind date with Joanne Woodruff, and the rest is history! They married and Joanne joined Rollie on a great life adventure seeing the world as a Navy wife. Joanne received her teaching degree and taught elementary school at each tour of duty until her son Doug was born. Though she loved to teach, her primary focus was to provide a stable, happy home for her husband and children, as they changed locations and schools every 2-3 years and Rollie moved up the officer ranks. After retiring from the Navy, she and Rollie moved to Olympia, Washington in 1992. Since then, they spent their time reacquainting themselves with family and longtime friends they had missed during the Navy years and watching their grandchildren grow. Joanne was a master quilter and seamstress and was active in the Olympia Quilt Guild. She shared her enormous talent with everyone she loved. We all have a piece of this amazing woman gracing our homes. She was a voracious reader and always had several books going, and loved nothing more than hanging out at family gatherings and enjoying a glass (or two) of her favorite Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling. Joanne was a gentle, warm woman who spent her life giving her time and talents to others. None of us know how we’ll survive without her! A memorial service and reception celebrating her life will be held on Saturday, April 25 beginning at 2:00 p.m. at the Masonic Center, 455 North Street SE, Tumwater Washington 98501.