JoAnn Schwab

Obituary for JoAnn Schwab

March 6, 1935 – November 6, 2025

JoAnn Schwab was born on March 6,1935 at St. Vincent Hospital in Portland, OR., to Louis Bernard and Mary Lorena (Tobin) Schwab.  She attended The Madeleine Catholic Grade School, Holy Child Academy & St. Mary’s Academy.

 After high school in 1953, JoAnn became a Sister of The Holy Names of Jesus & Mary at Marylhurst Convent in Lake Oswego.  Her religious name was Sister Stephen Marie, and she taught at St. Mary’s Academy in downtown Portland in the 60s & early 70s.

After over 20 years as a Sister, she chose to pursue a student counselling career at Canby High School from 1978-1997 and returning part-time from 1999-2000.

Twelve years ago, she sold her home in Oregon City and moved to Homewoods on the Willamette in Milwaukie, where she continued to easily make new friends and participated in a quilting group that made a variety of quilting products for charity.

JoAnn died peacefully at The Springs at Clackamas Woods on November 6th at the age of 90.  She was preceded in death by her parents, 4 sisters and 5 brothers.  She is survived by her sister Charleen, brother Mike, sister-in-law Virginia (Minarik) Schwab and many nieces & nephews.

JoAnn’s funeral service will be held on Wednesday, November 19th at St. John The Apostle Catholic Church in Oregon City. Recitation of the Rosary will be at 10:30am and the Funeral Mass at 11:00am. A reception will follow in the Parish Center.

The Rite of Committal service will be at Mt. Calvary Cemetery on Thursday, November 20th at 10:30am.  Father Richard Thompson will preside.

Contributions in memory of JoAnn may be sent to: Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM), P.O. Box 398, Marylhurst, OR 97036

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