Joan Woolsey Adams

1931-2021 Carmel Valley

Joan passed away peacefully in Carmel February 27, 2021, at the age of 89. Joan was born in Oakland, in 1931 to Natalie and Leon Woolsey. She grew up in Orinda and later attended UC Berkeley, earning an Associate Degree. At Cal, Joan was a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority and there she met the love of her life, Lawson Adams. Joan and Lawson were happily married for 65 years. In 1957 they moved to Sacramento and raised a family of five children: four sons and a daughter. Joan was a longtime member of the Sacramento Junior League. Joan and Lawson relocated to Pebble Beach in 1996. A golf enthusiast, Joan spent many hours on golf courses with her husband and golf buddies. Joan had a delightful sense of humor, enjoyed worldwide travel adventures with Lawson and maintained many friendships throughout her life. Other interests included writing, American novelists and Broadway shows. Her greatest roles were that of wife, mother and grandmother, and she was the heart and soul of the family. Joan particularly enjoyed organizing family celebrations and delighted in the camaraderie developed between generations. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Joan is survived by her five children and their spouses, nine grandchildren and their spouses, three great grandchildren and her sister Judy. The family is grateful for the caring staff at Carmel Valley Manor. A private family gathering will be scheduled at a future date. Donations can be made in her honor to the Monterey Bay Aquarium at 886 Cannery Row, Monterey, California 93940 or online at www.montereybayaquarium.org