Johanna Gennevieve Jam

Johanna Gennevieve Jam passed away peacefully with her daughter, granddaughter and their family dog Papi at her side in Vancouver, Washington, June 17, 2018, of natural causes. She was born June 10, 1943, to Ralph J. Jam and Wanda (Schell) Jam in Washington, D.C. She was the second born of seven children and lived her early childhood in Deale, Maryland. At the passing of her mother in 1955, the family moved to Kalispell, where Johanna attended Catholic school for several years and then the Libby Public Schools, where she graduated in 1961.

Johanna co-owned several bakeries and food service businesses including a tavern and a hot dog and espresso cart. She worked in the bakeries while she raised her family and after moved into the other venues. She later in life went back to school to achieve and associates degree in business office management.

She was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers — Philip, Paul and Leo Jam.

She is survived by her brother Louis Jam of Libby; sisters Bella Mally of Spokane, Washington and Marie Jam of Helena; and her daughter Susanne Noga, granddaughter Sophia Noga and her son Jeffrey Noga, all of Vancouver, Washington.

Johanna developed a passion for artistic expression over the years and enjoyed numerous art classes creating her art in watercolor, pastel, pencil, acrylics, pen-and-ink and ceramic. Her favorite subject to draw was the human form. She attended many classes and spent many years perfecting this area of her artistic nature.

Near the end of Johanna’s time here she and her family gained a deeper meaning of the seasons of our lives together and delighted in viewing her time in seasons versus days. Throughout her artistic studies she would always sketch seasonal changes and left many drawings. She very much appreciated fall time and the many colors it offered, along with the massive leaves the Pacific Northwest offered, endorsing the colorful seasons of her own life.

A memorial and internment was held June 22, 2018, at Holy Cross Cemetery in Portland, Oregon. Johanna was placed at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetary to rest in the Immaculate Mother Mary Garden overlooking a pristine, peaceful view of Mount Rainier, Mount Jefferson and Mount Hood.

Memorial contributions may be made to Johanna’s daughter Susanne Noga at 6119 NE 103rd Ct., Vancouver, WA 98662.