Joann Brock

Joann Brock, 81, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully in Newport Beach on October 13, 2011 with her daughters at her side.
A native to Los Angeles, Joann was born in 1930 to Thomas and Anna Learnihan. She was the tenth of eleven children. After graduating from Immaculate Heart College in 1952, Joann began her teaching career at Glenn L. Martin Elementary in Santa Ana. In 1955, Joann married Ray Brock, a pioneer in the Hot Rod industry. Joann put her teaching career on hold to raise their daughters beginning in Los Angeles, and ultimately moving to Newport Beach in 1973. Joann returned to teaching as a substitute in the Newport Mesa Unified School District, retiring after over 20 years of service.
Joann and Ray enjoyed traveling the world to visit friends, family and business associates. They were avid fans of USC Football. After retirement Joann valued her afternoon walks around Balboa Island with her dear friends. The highlight of her later years was spending time with her six grandsons with trips to the beach, baking Christmas cookies, and science experiments making her home a happy destination.
Joann was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2003 and chose to fight this battle head on. Joann celebrated life every day for the next 8 years staying active with family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband Ray in 2002. Joann is survived by her three daughters Maureen Brock (Daniel Mitts) of Escondido, Sara Rollins (Charles) of Costa Mesa, and Katie Brock-Medland (John Medland) of Queensland, Australia; grandsons Joel Medland, Nathan Medland, Brock Mitts, Grant Mitts, PJ Rollins and Clay Rollins; sister Cecilia Meyers; 37 nieces and nephews; numerous grand nieces and nephews, and countless friends.
Joann will be truly missed by her many friends, but especially by a family that loved her beyond words. A funeral mass will be held October 25, 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Newport Beach. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Ovarian Cancer Orange County Alliance (www.ovarianoc.org) in Joann’s memory.