January 23, 2023

Joanne D. Gormel, 82, of Avondale, and Palm Desert, Calif., died peacefully on Oct. 6. Joanne was devoted to her children, extended family and friends, who mourn her passing. Born in Seattle to Eric and Gladys Ostman, she was preceded in death by her younger sister Carollee.

She graduated from Lincoln High School in 1957 and was married to John Coates from 1958 – 1976. They had two children, Deborah and Daniel, and lived in Seattle, Wash., Boulder, Colo., Wilmington, Houston, Texas, and Newark. Joanne eventually settled in Avondale, and later added a second home in Palm Desert, Calif.

Joanne was married to Roger Gormel from 1979 – 1995 and delighted in her stepchildren, with whom she enjoyed a close relationship throughout her life. Joanne started her work life as a secretary, eventually rising to become a manager at the DuPont Co. Joanne was appreciated by her work colleagues and friends and was the recipient of many awards. Wherever she lived, Joanne formed lifelong friendships, some dating back to her early childhood.

Joanne always found ways to help her friends, family and community. She volunteered for the United Nations Children’s Fund, Planned Parenthood, and the Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art in Chadds Ford.

Joanne loved to travel. She especially enjoyed her trips to Guyana to see her beloved “honorary” daughter Nalie Persaud, who the family hosted for her senior year of high school in Newark. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and was delighted to welcome the arrival of her great-grandson in 2022. Joanne was an intellectually curious person. She was an avid reader and delighted in describing what she was learning in her latest book. She took even more delight in learning what others might be reading.

Joanne was raised by parents who had lived through the depression. She learned from her parents and her own life experience the importance of saving. This enabled her to purchase a second home in Palm Desert in 2009. She loved her time in the desert where she enjoyed her neighbors, visiting family and friends, and her many Seattle-based friends who also spent their winters in California.

Joanne is survived by her children and their spouses, Deborah and John Newton, of Kennett Square, Daniel and Kate Coates, of Gaithersburg, Md., and by her devoted stepchildren: Mark and Donna Gormel, Yvonne Maurer, Dana Gormel, and Lisa Martelli, her nieces Janae O’Brien and Erica Hutcheson. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Jeffery Buhrman, Kaitlyn Buhrman, Jocelyn Coates, John Coates, as well as Zachary and Logan Maurer, Jessica Gormel, and Matt Merchant. Joanne is also survived by her great-grandson Parker Buhrman. She also leaves behind her beloved dog Charlie. Her love of life and overriding positivity are her permanent legacy to all she loved and all who loved her. In lieu of flowers, friends are invited to send donations to a charity of their choice. Services in celebration of Joanne’s life will be held on March 25 (in La Quinta, CA) and June 3 (near Avondale). Please RSVP to J_Gormel_Celebration@icloud.com for details.