Joan Louise McCollom

Joan Louise McCollom
May 7, 1934 to May 28, 2018
A physical therapist and educator who worked with children for 40 years, Joan combined the skills of her two careers and developed a daily living skills program for children with physical disabilities at
Lindbergh/Schweitzer elementary school in San Diego Unified School District.

Born in Portland, Oregon to parents Frieda and Ivan (Mac) McCollom, Joan moved frequently with her family from Oregon to Washington to Colorado and New Mexico during the first 6 years of her life. Between 1942 and 1946, the family moved throughout the United States following her father to his various Army assignments during the 2nd World War, settling in San Diego in 1946 when her father joined the faculty at San Diego State College (now San Diego State University).

Joan graduated from the University of Southern California in 1956 with a B.S. in Physical Therapy. She
worked at San Diego Children’s Hospital until 1967 when she returned to college to pursue a teaching career with summers free to satisfy her quest to travel. She received her teaching credential and an M.A. in Special Education in 1968 from the University of Southern California. While at Lindbergh/Schweitzer elementary school she developed a guide, Let Me Do It Myself, for teaching self-help skills to physically
handicapped children. She also became very adept in the use of technology for augmenting communication skills for her students.

Joan was recognized for her outstanding contributions to education by being selected as San Diego Unified School District Teacher of the Year, San Diego County Teacher of the Year, and a finalist for California Teacher of the Year in 1989. Joan’s community activities included Kids on the Block of San Diego, Easter Seal Society of San Diego, The Access Center, and numerous professional advisory committees and organizations including Delta Kappa Gamma, a society for women educators, and California Retired Teachers Association.

Upon her retirement Joan became very active in a variety of programs at St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church in San Diego, chairing the Outreach Committee, the two week Interfaith Shelter Network (ISN) Rotational
Shelter for homeless individuals and families, and the annual Rummage Sale which raises funds for St. Dunstan’s outreach programs.

Joan traveled extensively throughout the world, her last trip being to see polar bears in Churchill, Manitoba, Canada in November 2017. Her hobbies included travel, photography, cooking and reading.

Joan passed away on May 28, 2018. She is survived by her sister Dorothy Leonard and nieces Diane Leonard and Debi Laird and their families. Services will be held at St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church, 6556 Park Ridge Blvd., San Diego, on Saturday, June 30, 2018, at 11AM. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church Outreach Endowment Fund in memory of Joan.