Jo Anne Bosshard, known by most as Joan Tellini, passed away suddenly on Nov. 1, 2002.

Born Dec. 1, 1931, in Spokane, Ms. Tellini spent most of her early years in the Spokane area. She graduated from Eastern Washington State University, Cheney, in 1952. She was active in numerous groups and organizations over the years, including Camp Fire Girls, Job’s Daughters and church choirs. She was an avid tennis player and was voted homecoming queen while attending Eastern Washington State University.

In the late 1950s, Ms. Tellini fled to New York City, where she modeled and worked on cruise ships in order to travel and see the world. By the mid-1960s, she was living in Spain, where she met the Italian film director Piero Tellini. They were married in 1965 and that year had their only child, Chiara Tellini.

In 1967, the Tellinis returned to the United States to visit Joan’s family in Langley. With Piero coming and going to and from Italy, Joan and Chiara remained in Langley through 1983, when Chiara went off to college in San Diego.

While in Langley, Ms. Tellini worked for the South Whidbey School District, wrote for The South Whidbey Record, was a member of the Langley City Council, researched an oil pipeline proposed for Whidbey Island and was a major activist and proponent of environmental rights and preservation. She was a member of the Whidbey Island Chorale.

Ms. Tellini remained in Langley a few more years before moving to Coronado Island in San Diego to be closer to her daughter. She eventually returned to the island, where she worked at Hedgebrook, a retreat for women writers near Langley.

For the past five years, Ms. Tellini lived in the Everett area. She worked for the Everett Parks Department, volunteered for The Wilderness Society, was active in her church and was a member of the Everett Chorale.

She is survived by a daughter, Chiara Tellini of Pasadena, Calif.; a brother, Jim Church of Stanwood; and a sister, Janet Freimuth of Brush Prairie.

A celebration of Joan’s life will be held at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Everett at 11 a.m. Nov. 9. The church is at 2624 Rockefeller Ave. in downtown Everett. A reception will follow the service.