Red Cross volunteer, Redwood City native dies at 64

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, May 6, 2005 | by Malaika Fraley, STAFF WRITER

REDWOOD CITY -- Joan Larson, who helped countless people in crisis in her 16 years as an American Red Cross volunteer, died from liver and kidney disease on Tuesday at age 64.

"Joan was the heart and soul of the Red Cross," said David Coursey, a friend and former Red Cross volunteer. "No disaster victim was unimportant to her, and over the years, she worked with thousands. Joan could absolutely be counted on to help people in need."

A member of the American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter's Disaster Services Team and the leader of its San Mateo County Family Service Team, Larson is credited with the success of the local disaster services program and the Bay Area chapter itself.

She began volunteering at the Red Cross's Burlingame office in 1989, just four months before the Loma Prieta earthquake. Over the years, she responded to disasters in San Mateo County and across the country, including hurricanes Andrew in 1992, Isabel in 2003 and Frances in 2004.

On her last assignment, in January, she served as the family- service lead for victims of the Ventura mudslides in Southern California.

A Redwood City native, Larson was born Nov, 6, 1940, and graduated from Sequoia High School in 1958. The eldest of eight siblings, she had eight children herself, whom she raised in Pacifica and Redwood City.

She loved photography and spending time with her family, who described Larson as "very funny and very outgoing."

Larson is survived by her brothers James, David, Doug, Terry and Chris Chesler; sister, Debbie Crosetti; children Kim Schembri, Cherie Mortz, Suzie Morta, Laurie Smith, Ronald Mortz, Carrie Mortz and Dayna Lucett; 14 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren and a third on the way; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, David Larson, sister, Carol Lopiccolo, and daughter, Shelly Mortz.

Services are at 10 a.m. May 14 at St. Pius Church in Redwood City. Memorial gifts can be made to the American Red Cross, 1710 Trousdale Drive, Burlingame, CA 94010.

Staff writer Malaika Fraley can be reached at (650) 348-4337.