Joan Georges Breen

Joan Georges Breen, beloved daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, aunt, two-time cancer survivor, and friend to many, passed away peacefully on March 4, 2020 at the age of 86. Born in Minneapolis, MN on April 26, 1933, Joan was the second of three daughters to Selma Falck Carlson and Alfred Carlson. She was married to Robert Georges and they had two sons, Douglas and Peter. They moved from Minnesota to Goleta in 1960 where she resided for 35 years.

Joan was fiercely determined to succeed in her career path. She worked for a multitude of local companies: RBR Concrete Contractors, Inc., Ko-Art Homes, Inc., Bottiani Properties, LLC, and McMahan’s Furniture as an accountant. Driven to excel even further, Joan put herself through college. She graduated with both a Bachelors and a Masters degree in Accounting from the UCLA extension at UCSB. She then worked as a licensed CPA for Faletti, Knapp, and Jarabin, LLP, eventually retiring from the firm as a Partner.

Joan met her soulmate, James Breen, and the two wed in 1981. They shared 27 wonderful years until his passing in 2008. Joan and Jim loved traveling in their RV and made a point to visit most every state in it. They moved from Goleta to Squaw Valley, CA, in 1995 where they built the home of their dreams to quietly live out their golden years.

Joan was a woman of many hobbies, and she always had a way to keep herself occupied. She loved crafting, knitting, crocheting, needlepoint, completing daily crossword puzzles, playing her organ, watching Jeopardy!, and gardening. As a CPA, she had a penchant for assisting clients with tax preparation and did so until her very last days. She enjoyed cooking and entertaining for her family and friends, always kept her home immaculate, and loved herself a good libation.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Patty Carlson and Elaine Lancaster, first husband Bob Georges, husband Jim Breen, and daughter Ranae Breen Dean. She leaves behind her children, Doug Georges (Elaine) of Goleta, Pete Georges of Squaw Valley, Jeannette Wright of Rancho Santa Margarita, and Jim Breen (Valerie) of Costa Mesa.  Also surviving her are 9 grandchildren, Eric, Robert, Evan, and Colton Georges, Toni Wright Lorenz, Michael Wright, Chris Breen, Tyla Breen Williams, and Sean Dean, 10 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, several dear friends, as well as her beloved dog, Nicki.

There will be a memorial service at 11am on Wed, June 17 at the Bear Mountain Library, 30733 E. Kings Canyon Rd, Squaw Valley. All who knew Joan are welcome.