Joan Elizabeth Wertz 

At her first breath, Joan’s parents held their newborn and pondered the possibilities and potential for their family’s newest member.  As she took her last breath, Joan’s husband and children looked on with love and gratitude, thankful for having been part of her life well-lived.  Joan Elizabeth (Belisle) Wertz, age 61, died at home in Richland, Washington on January 1, 2018 from kidney cancer.

Joan was born in West Stewartstown, New Hampshire on September 26, 1956 to Claire Agnes Ronan and John Edward Belisle, the fifth of seven children. She graduated in 1974 from North Stratford High School, North Stratford, New Hampshire and in 1978 from the University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. She was commissioned as Lieutenant Junior Grade, United States Navy Nurse Corps in 1978. On August 4, 1979 in North Stratford, New Hampshire, Joan married Ensign Douglas E. Wertz, US Navy.

At duty stations in San Diego, California and Bethesda, Maryland, Joan learned the foundations of nursing in various departments, treating Navy recruits, Admirals, and most importantly, Admiral’s wives! During her active duty years, she was promoted to Lieutenant and completed five years of service, leaving active duty after the birth of her first child in 1983. 

After completing her military service, Doug and Joan crisscrossed the United States to Naval stations on the coasts. Doug was deployed at sea for many months at a time, and Joan maintained a loving and stable environment for their first two children. As the opportunity arose, Joan continued her nursing career. She worked part time at a rehabilitation center in Long Beach, California and after moving to Columbia, South Carolina, Joan took her first assignment in maternity.

While having two more of her own children, Joan further honed her skills as a maternity nurse at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Lynchburg, Virginia.  In 1996, following Doug’s transfer to the Hanford Site as a contractor, the family of six settled in Richland, Washington. Joan began working as a Staff Nurse in the Birth Center at Kadlec Hospital in 1998, retiring in April 2017 with 19 years of service.

She was a nurse second to none and a fierce advocate for her patients. The most satisfying part of her job was seeing the faces of new mothers, fathers, and grandparents; exhausted mothers exalting in their creation and the incredible moments of love and connection; strong men melting into sobbing forms; grandparent’s unbridled joy at witnessing the beginning of a new cycle of life.

In all things, Joan was the hub around which her family gathered. As a mother and homemaker, Joan was a strong advocate for her children’s wellbeing, always providing a helping hand or strong push, whichever the occasion required. She was immensely proud of all her children and she adored her three grandchildren. Joan’s approach to life was best summed up in her “Three Commandments” – don’t take life so seriously, help when you can, and eat around the table.

Not only did Joan tend to all things home and family, she never shied away from the myriad of volunteer efforts upon which so may youth activities depend. Joan volunteered her time to a wide array of organizations, from youth sports and elementary education, to community board and national swimming association positions.  She was most proud of her volunteer work for the Tri-City Channel Cat and Hanford High swimming organizations, holding positions on the board of directors, leading hospitality and fundraising efforts, and officiating at local, state and national level swim meets. 

Joan’s journey with cancer was met with a tremendous outpouring of love and support from not only her family near and far, but also her co-workers and close friends. She spoke often of her gratitude for the visits, cards and flowers received from the Birth Center staff. Joan and her family are also extremely appreciative of the caring assistance provided by Chaplaincy Health Care, Hospice team. 

She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 38 years, Douglas E. Wertz; son, Benjamin E. Wertz (Vanessa) and grandchildren Alana, Kaylee, and Caleb, of West Richland; daughter, Margaret E. Wertz, of Houston, Texas; son Joseph D. Wertz (Meredith), of Houston, Texas; and son, William B. Wertz, of Seattle, Washington.

Joan is also survived by her mother, Claire A. Belisle, of Burlington, Vermont; her brother Ronan Belisle (Lee), and sister, Ann Biron (Denis) of Charlotte, Vermont; brothers, Mark Belisle, of Shelburne, Vermont, Michael Belisle of Cambridge, Vermont, and sister Caroline Belisle, of Whitefield, New Hampshire. She was preceded in death by her father, John E. Belisle, and sister, Mary Ross (Dan). 

A service and reception to reflect on a life well-lived will be held on Friday, January 5, 2018, from 5 to 9 pm at Sunset Gardens Event Center, 915 By Pass Hwy, Richland, WA 99352, with Tim Ledbetter, a Hospice Chaplain, presiding. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to:

Chaplaincy Health Care

1480 Fowler Street

Kennewick WA 99352

509-783-7416