Joan Marie (Torvick) Hayashida of Elgin, Ill., died Dec. 19, 2015, age 76. She was born in Lewiston, Minn., July 1, 1939, the daughter of Olaf and Clara Benrud Torvick. She was raised in Spring Grove, Minn., where music and performance were her focus. She was the majorette for her high school band, played the saxophone and piano, and was in the choir. She loved to sing, and was asked to do so at many events.

She graduated from Luther College in 1961 with a teaching degree, and taught in Elgin district U-46 for decades. She married Frank Hayashida in 1963 and had two children, Michael and Christine. After retiring from teaching in 1999, she was an active participant in the Elgin Retired Teachers’ Association and the American Association of University Women.

She is survived by her son Michael (Jodi) Hayashida of Auburn, Maine, her daughter Christine (Charles) Hayashida of Mount Prospect, her siblings Ellen (Tom) Plunkett, Kathy (Jim) Lehman, Ann (David) Holland, Lolly (Orly) Maenke, Larry (Chris) Overhaug, and Jeannie DeRemer. Her grandchildren Kaia, Tessa, Clara, and Cormac were the lights of her life. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Frank.

Joanie’s joyful energy, small-town innocence, and the love she showed to those around her will be greatly missed.

Memorial donations can be sent to the AAUW Educational Opportunities Fund.