Joanne Mendoza

Joanne J. Mendoza On Feb. 22, 2023 Joanne J. Mendoza succumbed to a heart attack at her residence. Joanne was an enrolled member of the Yakama Nation and descendant of the Puyallup, Squaxin Island, Stillaguamish and Muckleshoot tribes. She was born on June 15, 1948 to John R. Craig, Sr. and Blanche Hoptowit Craig in Tacoma, Wash. The family moved to Toppenish in the mid-50s where she was raised and attended Toppenish Public Schools. Joanne married Philip J. Mendoza on Nov. 11, 1967. Their first date was December, 1965. Joanne in her later years always said, “He (husband) takes good care of me.” They have four children, their late daughter, Stephanie, sons, Philip, Jr., Michael and Daniel. They lived in Tacoma, Wash before moving back to the Yakama Reservation in the early 70s. Philip, Sr. worked at an RV manufacturing business in Yakima and Joanne was a bookkeeper for the Yakama Nation Head Start Program before both retired. During the late 80s & early 90s both were working at the head start program in Toppenish near Kirkwood School, he as safety and maintenance and she as the bookkeeper. Her number skills were her priority during her working years. Her early bookkeeping job was with May Dodd who was the first manager for the tribe’s ceramic program. In the mid-90s she worked for the Environmental Restoration and Waste Management program under atwai Russell Jim. He told her he wanted to know how broke the program was. She was tasked with doing years of catching up on balancing the books receipts, grant money and such. It took her almost a year to correct the books and once completed she found over a million dollars for the program. Jim found out they were not broke at all. She enjoyed going to the casino and was one of the first big winners when there was still Bingo. She won a four-corner square in the first four numbers and won over $45,000. Joanne was an avid Elvis Presley fan and had an extensive collection of Elvis memorabilia. After Philip and Joanne retired they traveled extensively visiting Graceland, the Grand Canyon, Crater Lake, the southwest and stopping to see shows in Reno and Las Vegas. And most precious to her was her grandchildren who she enjoyed her time with and always gifting them something during their visits. Her grandchildren are Justin Mendoza, Jazmin Mendoza, Andrew Mendoza, Sansaray Mendoza, Joanne Josephine Mendoza, Braylen Mendoza, Carlos Mendoza. Daniel Mendoza, Jr., Darion Mendoza & husband Brandon Reiman. Joanne’s great grandchildren are Daniella R. Reiman, Michael Wayne Reiman, Manuel Mendoza and Natalia Mendoza. She was preceded in death by daughter—Stephanie Blanche Mendoza, daughter-in-law—Gloria Mendoza and granddaughter—Theresa Mendoza. She is survived by husband Philip and sons, Philip, Jr., Michael and Daniel with spouse Minta, sisters, Carol Craig, Judy Slockish, Adrienne Wilson and brother Steve Craig. Valley Hills Funeral Home in Zillah, Wash. is conducting services on Feb. 27 with private viewing at 9:00 a.m. Services will be from 10 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Joanne will be taken to her final resting place at the Wapato Cemetery at 11:30 a.m. A meal will follow the services at the Yakama Nation Cultural Center’s former restaurant portion. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joanne Mendoza, please visit our flower store.