Obituary of Joe Ann Waugh

Joe Ann Waugh, a long-time resident of Santa Cruz, died Friday, November 23, 2012 at the age of 86. Joe Ann was married to Bruce G. Waugh for 45 years, until his death in 1989. They had four children, Dixie Waugh (Ft. Lauderdale, FL), Debbie Rodriguez (Seattle, WA), Bruce A. Waugh (Santa Cruz, CA) and Donna Waugh (Soquel, CA), five grandchildren, Darlene Shannon, Fondra McConnell, Joey Rodriguez, Jamey Rodriguez, Trevor Johnson, and three great-granddaughters, Savannah McConnell, Marilyn Rodriguez and Jasmine Mena. A native of Asher, OK, Joe Ann came with her parents to CA in 1936 in the midst of the Great Depression. They settled first in Hanford, where she attended high school and later in Venice where she met Bruce during a visit to the Santa Monica pier during WWII. After marrying the couple settled in the Los Angeles area and founded a rake manufacturing business. During one of their numerous selling trips, they discovered Santa Cruz. In 1963, they relocated to Santa Cruz where they operated a concrete contracting business until their retirement in 1985. Joe Ann loved to write and wrote the column "Just a Musing" for a local Aptos newspaper for many years. In addition, along with her son Bruce, she actively pursued the sport of pigeon racing receiving many trophies and awards over the years. She touched the lives of many and will be remembered for the strong, thoughtful and loving person that she was. For her family, her passing leaves a great void that will never be filled, but we take comfort in knowing that she is with those loved ones who went before her. A memorial service will be held at on Friday, 11/30/2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the Oakwood Chapel , 3301 Paul Sweet Road, Santa Cruz, CA 95065.