Joan Elaine Urich

Joan was raised in a close-knit family that adored her. Her parents, Olirene and LeRoy Worthing, lived in Redlands California, where Joan was born on January 14, 1940. She did not have siblings but enjoyed learning fiber arts from the women in her family. She learned how to embroider, knit, and sew at the knee of her Grandma Maude, as well as going on adventures into Los Angeles to watch movies and explore with her Aunt Loraine. But above all, she was very close with her mother, Ollie, who was a rock of support throughout her life. Joan raised her two beloved children, Randy and Sandra, in California. She was briefly married to John Cochran and gave birth to her first child, Randy, in San Bernardino. She later met and married Charles “Chuck” Sheffield and gave birth to her daughter, Sandra, in Santa Cruz. She worked at Allstate Insurance in Campbell, California, during the years that she raised Randy and Sandra. In 1977 she returned to Southern California to open a mold-cast ceramics shop in Yucaipa, where she was able to put her plethora of artistic skills to work. Many of Joan’s magnificent art pieces are on display in the homes of her loved ones. In 1979 Joan married Gerald “Jerry” Urich. They moved to Bellingham, Washington, in 1980, and opened Printing for You. They ran the business for nine years before selling it to Jerry’s children, who still run the print shop. Joan and Gerry enjoyed remodeling their home together, and in their later years purchased a motor home and took off on the trip of a lifetime across the USA. With the advent of her first granddaughter in 1994, Joan’s son, Randy, and his wife, Alyson, moved to Bellingham with their infant, Rachael. This marked the beginning of grandparenthood, a most cherished time, helping raise Rachael and her sister, Katy, who was born in 1998. Being a deeply involved grandmother was one of Joan’s greatest joys. Her youngest granddaughter, Amelia, child of Sandra and Neil, was born in 1999, in California. Over the years, Joan treasured every visit with her. Joan's greatest joy was always taking care of and loving her family. Joan also found pleasure in gardening, genealogy, knitting sweaters, socks, and hats for her family, reading murder mysteries, and watching shows on PBS. She and Jerry worked together to design wood sculptures. He cut the designs and she painted them. One of their greatest works was their Santa and reindeer holiday yard art. When her mother Ollie was in her final years of life, Joan felt honored to care for her mother. She had also taken care of Jerry in his last year of life. Joan’s life became difficult in her final years as she developed dementia, but she still enjoyed good times with her family. She moved to The Bellingham at Orchard Memory Care, where she passed on January 26, 2026, surrounded in the love of her family, under the caring guidance of Whatcom Hospice. She is survived by her two children Randy Sheffield and Sandra Sheffield; stepchildren Judy Urich and Mark Urich; granddaughters Rachael (Hunter) Burton, Kathryn Sheffield, and Amelia Levin-Sheffield. She will be deeply missed by all who loved her.

Joan Elaine Urich

January 14, 1940 - January 26, 2026