Joanna R. Phillippe

DUARTE, CALIFORNIA - Joanna Ruth Phillippe, daughter of Garnett and Elma Phillippe, passed away at age 92 on October 2, 2025 in Duarte, California.

Joanna was born in Canton, China. Her parents were missionaries and ran a school there. She became a Japanese prisoner of war at age 10 during WWII. After being released in a prisoner exchange, she returned to the United States where she finished High School. Joanna attended college at Taylor University in Indiana. Later, she moved to Los Angeles where she initially worked for the Navy, and then for 31 years was employed as an academic counselor for UCLA. She was a member of the Hollywood Presbyterian Professional Women’s Club. Joanna was an avid fan of UCLA basketball and football, and enjoyed theatre, the LA Philharmonic and the LA Opera.

Joanna was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, David; and her niece, Melodye. She is survived by her brother Jon and his wife Kathy; her nieces Debbie, Rachelle, and Donya; her nephews David and Jeffrey.

A funeral service will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, October 18 in the chapel of Bear Funeral Home, officiated by Rev. Lester Kennedy. Burial will follow in Green Hill Cemetery.

Condolences may be expressed to the family online at bearfuneralhome.com.