Joan O’Rourke
Heaven welcomed our beloved Joan back home on May 30th, 2025, two days after her 84th birthday. With her entire family by her bed side, God called her to be with her parents Vincent and Eleanore O’Donnell, and her sister Elli Lorch.
Joan was a third generation San Franciscan Native and proud of her Pietro Rossi and Justinian Caire heritage. Throughout her life she valiantly tried to overcome Polio, which damaged her right arm at age 14. Joan was a loving, kind-hearted soul who deeply cared for people. She had a way of making you feel special, knowing that she was interested in you and what you had to say. Optimism and loyalty were evident in her eyes and her beautiful smile would bring peace and joy to those who were troubled. Joan graduated from Sacred Heart High School in San Francisco in 1959 and Dominican University in San Rafael, California in 1963 with a history major and teaching credential. She taught the 2nd & 3rd grades at Sherman School in San Francisco. Her faith was a major part of her life. She volunteered for many years at Saint Simon’s Catholic Church in Los Altos, California. She ran the Alter Servers Program, the annual rummage sale, and served as a Eucharistic Minister for the sick and homebound. Among her many accomplishments was being on the board of the B.P. Oliver Catholic Foundation for over 20 years, and managing commercial properties in San Francisco for more than 30 years. Family was very important and cherished by her. She kept in touch by sending greeting cards for every occasion to all her relatives and friends, each one carefully individualized with loving thoughts and sentiments.
She will be missed by many including John her husband for 58 years, sons Vincent & Brian, daughter Lauren, Son-in-law Daniel Orosco, daughter-in-law Beth, and grandchildren Ronan & Juliet. As well as by her cousin Fr. Jim Torrens, S.J., brother-in-law Mike Lorch, and many nieces, nephews including Thomas Stillman, and friends.
Friends and family are invited to attend a Rosary Sunday, June 8, 2025 at 7:00 PM at LIMA & CAMPAGNA SUNNYVALE MORTUARY, 1315 Hollenbeck Avenue, Sunnyvale. Funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at 10:00 AM at St. SIMON CATHOLIC CHURCH, 1860 Grant Road, Los Altos. Private burial to take place at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, Colma.
In lieu of flowers please donate to B.P. Oliver Catholic Foundation at 1104 Corporate Way, Sacramento, CA 95831.