Lorrie Simpkins Gafford

Joanne E. Borggren

• Dec 4, 2024

Joanne Elliott Borggren passed away Nov. 22, 2024, a gentle artisan who loved the Trinity County lifestyle of peace and nature. She lived life with an innocence and a smile, always offering a positive word and ready to laugh. Her unique faded light green-blue eyes always had a twinkle of love and honesty. Joanne was good to her core, having taken Mary as her confirmation name to suck up to God.

Joanne began life May 27, 1948, with stellar parents Iola and Ray Elliott and six siblings of whom she adored and proclaimed ‘the best’ childhood in San Carlos, California. She met her life love Chris Borggren at 15 years old. After school, wide-eyed in 1971 and amped to live the hippie dream, the two bought land and moved up a dirt road outside of Weaverville. First placing a Tipi and garden, then a cabin, bath house and pottery studio. Finally, building their own design dream home — all with their own hands, trees from the property and books from the library.

Joanne was co-founder with Chris of Clayfantsea — A hands on, kick-wheel, clay arts business which flourished for decades in the art fair communities where they also held close friends. She was also a generous boss to her studio workers with patience and care, gently correcting, offering raises when none were asked for and making daily lunches with her cosmic cookery.

Joanne relished in her garden vegetables, flowers, lizards and nurturing tadpoles. She enjoyed canoeing, bike riding, creek meandering, music and ‘whoopty doodling’. Mostly, Joanne felt no need to venture further, content amongst her craft fairs, garden, critters and Trinity blue sky.

Joanne’s attitude was a rare bird with her sincere relaxed approach to all interactions. She rarely had anything bad to say and if she did it was with a giggle. Nothing was that serious and although she didn’t necessarily want to, she was not afraid of the other side, always confidently remarking ‘It will be good.’

Joanne was the best — friend, sister and wife — the world could ask for. There is not a notch that goes higher than her love, understanding and support, even when quiet. These things were a river in her energy.

Alas, there isn’t enough good nature or gentle earth living and loving that can pardon one from the clutches of cancer and we’ve lost this star girl too soon. Joanne was honored with passing away warm in her bed at home on a Friday morning, in all she created and loved — Joanne lived her dream.

Envision her in her garden, sunlit hair and a smile marveling at the hummingbirds, bees and butterflies ... calling us to come see.

Joanne’s beloved Chris and sister Margie will be hosting a memorial with Joanne’s ashes on a date to be announced this spring.