Joanne Marie (Hicks) Bishop

Joanne M. Bishop, 93, of Sun City West, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her family on July 15, 2022, after a short illness.

Joanne was born June 6, 1929, in Peoria, IL. After graduating from Woodruff High school, she attended Bradley University and University of Missouri graduating with a degree in Journalism. She worked for the Peoria Journal Star before marrying J. Philip Hensley January 17, 1953. They mainly lived in Peoria, IL with a short period in Silver Springs, MD. They belonged to the Ivy Club, had several different boats and enjoyed most family vacations on the Illinois River, the Mississippi and Lake Michigan.  Joanne was always involved with the arts, volunteering as a docent at Lakeview Museum of Arts and Sciences.  After Philip’s passing in 1976, Joanne married Barry Bishop in 1977. They lived in Urbandale, IA active in the community until retirement in 1999 when they moved to Surprise, AZ. Joanne was involved with volunteering at Desert Palms Presbyterian, Presbyterian Women, Panhelenic Gamma Phi Beta and was involved with the Grandview Terrace Scholarship Committee.

Joanne was preceded in death by her parents Roscoe E. and Walborg (Peterson) Hicks, her brother Robert P. Hicks, her first husband J. Philip Hensley and her second husband Barry Bishop and step-daughter Sally Ann Bishop.  She is survived by her daughter Pamela M. (Paul) Curless of Calhoun, GA, and her sons Douglas L. Hensley of Phoenix, AZ and Steven P. (Deborah) Hensley of Geneva, IL, step-children Peter (Kim) Bishop of West End, NC, Chuck (Julie) Bishop of  Rock Hill, SC and Jim (Tina) Bishop of St. Charles, IA.  Also surviving are 16 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at 10:00am on July 28 at Desert Palms Presbyterian Church, Sun City West, AZ. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Desert Palms Presbyterian Church or to Arizona PBS.    

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