"Teacher Joan"

Joan Mignon Lehman, lovingly known as “Teacher Joan” by generations both in and around Malheur County for her work at the City of Ontario Recreation Center and the TVCC Art and ESL programs, passed peacefully onto her next journey with the love of her four children, two grandsons, family and friends palpable in the air around her. Joan was a true original. As an artist her whole life, she created many beautiful pieces in so many different media, most notably clay. With a lifetime of work achieved, she always seemed to be most proud of her work helping those around her see that they were important, had unique creative potential and could learn to channel it. Joan encouraged self reliance, kindness and the importance of creative exploration and expression. As a single mother of four surviving on a part-time teacher’s salary and her freelance art/design efforts, she worked hard. She established a diverse social network and used creativity and ingenuity to provide opportunities for many generations of students. Joan officially retired from teaching in September of 2001, yet continued to create both art and opportunities for others. Joan was incredibly humble, kind and had lots of interests and enthusiasms.

A lot more than a wonderful teacher, Joan was a role model for what it means to be a strong, independent woman. Joan grew up in the wake of the great depression with her father often away working in Alaska and her mother busily working as a teacher, so Joan learned to be self-reliant at an early age. She excelled in school and was very involved in her community. She was the first girl to participate in an OMSI science camp. As an independent artist, she won the Portland Rose Festival's first place prize for best painting at the age of 12. Joan attended the University of Oregon and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Art/ Art education in 1961 with the honor of outstanding senior artist. That same year, Joan served as a fire lookout all summer, alone high in a tower above the forest. Her account of interacting with ball lightning would give you chills. The very next year, Joan began her formal teaching career as a 7th and 8th grade art teacher at Central Junior High School in Albany, Oregon.

In addition to starting her teaching career, Joan began the journey of creating a family. She saved up, purchased a sewing machine and made her own wedding dress. As an Air Force wife she had two children while living in an Airstream trailer, traveling to 23 states and 3 Canadian provinces. She moved to Ontario, Oregon, with her family in 1969. She had two more children while building friendships in her chosen high desert community home and began to find opportunities to resume teaching. In 1976 she and her husband divorced. Joan had full custody of her four children, and with the help of a supportive community, raised them by herself. She gained employment as an art teacher at the City of Ontario Recreation “Rec” Center, where, over the next 2-3 decades, she taught art and helped guide students preschool through elder on lifelong journeys of self-discovery. She also became an advocate for children at a state level. Joan often stated that children were the true wealth.

In her last years, Joan directed energy into many projects which included sewing, painting, rug making and designing cards. She continued to focus on the reuse of materials, and made lots of postcards which were sent regularly to family and special friends. Her cards would be customized for the recipient and shared observations, unique perspectives and positive messages. They couldn’t help but brighten the day. As more and more people share their loving stories about Joan, you can see the art of her life everywhere. Teacher, Mama, Granny, Joan, you are loved. Joan Mignon Lehman resided in Ontario, Oregon for 51 years. She is survived by her son Brule Lehman, daughter-in-law Laurie Lehman and grandson Tachoda Lehman, her daughter Gila Fox, son-in-law Tim Fox and grandson Galen Fox, her son Steeg Lehman and daughter-in-law Torey Lehman, and her daughter Kira Lehman and son-in-law Steven Lehman.