Joan Ann Milliman

Joan Ann Milliman, 89, died peacefully on August 3, 2026 at Via Tercero Homes in Mission Viejo under Care Choices hospice care. A resident of Laguna Woods Village in Laguna Woods, CA, she was a beloved sister, aunt, and friend; a singer and musicologist; a high school and college teacher; an arts and business administrator; a hypnotherapist; a cat-, science-fiction-, and sports-car-lover; a devoted meditator; and – wherever she went – a leader in community and church activities.

Joan was born January 27, 1937 in Glendale, CA to Kenneth and Blanche Fitch Milliman of Los Angeles. She attended LA public schools with her younger brother, James (now deceased). A Girl Scout for 10 years, Joan also loved sports, acquiring the nickname “Millimite” for her small stature and resolute performance on the field.

Joan earned a B.A. in English and a General Secondary Credential from Occidental College. Continuing her education on an AAUW fellowship, she attended Cambridge University in the U.K., where she received an Honorary M.A. in musicology and sang in the Aldeburgh Music Festival. She went on to earn a Ph.D. in Musicology from the University of Southern California, specializing in the works of British composer Benjamin Britten. She later earned a Special Education Credential from California State University Dominguez Hills and a Certificate in Hypnotherapy from the Hypnosis Motivation Institute, Tarzana.

Both early and later in her career, Joan taught for the Los Angeles Unified School District – her last assignment being at Narbonne Senior High School in Harbor City. She also taught for Humboldt State University and USC. As a High School Faculty Chairperson, she was trained in group-management and team-building through UCLA’s Anderson School of Management.

Taking a mid-career break from classroom teaching in the 1970's, Joan worked in Management Advisory Services with the Los Angeles CPA firm Laventhol & Horwath for eight years, where she was a consultant, editor, and administrative supervisor. She spent the next five years as a self-employed arts management consultant, becoming a board member and cofounder of Music from Angel Fire, NM and doing survey tabulation and interpretation for the Getty Trust, among other projects.

Throughout her life, Joan enjoyed cultural and civic activities. She played violin in several community symphonies and was a choir/chorus member of the Southern-California-based Jane Hardester Singers. She was a board member and choir member in several Episcopal Churches, including her most-recent membership at Faith Episcopal Church in Laguna Niguel.

When Joan returned to high school teaching, her broad experience brought assignments ranging from marching band to investment coaching. But she wasn't done with her own studies. Laying the foundation for a post-retirement career as a family therapist, she completed the classwork for an M.A. in Psychology from Phillips Graduate Institute in Encino. However, a serious stroke ended both her teaching career and her psychology studies – leading instead to many months of physical therapy and later to a new venture into hypnotherapy.

Seeking a place to retire, Joan moved from Los Angeles to Laguna Woods Village in 2008 with Joann Robbins, a friend from USC graduate school, as her roommate. She opened a small hypnotherapy practice – and also jumped into Village life with her characteristic enthusiasm.

In addition to taking up drawing and poetry and delving more deeply into meditation, Joan's early Village activities included Friends of the Village (President), Kiwanis, Art Association of Laguna Woods, Cat Club, Rainbow Club, Film Club, American Association of University Women, and Energy Club.

Joan later served on the Governing Boards of Third Mutual (home-owners' association) as well as the Golden Rain Foundation (community amenities governance). She also took leadership roles in the Village Community Fund (co-founder, Secretary), Thrive Task Force, and the Robert's Rules Study Club (co-founder, President), and, at the time of her passing, was a Trustee of the Laguna Woods History Center.

Joan is survived by her nephew, Ryan Milliman of San Diego; her neice, Kristin Milliman Clark of Santa Cruz; her grandnephew, Hunter Milliman of San Diego, and grandneices, Omia Milliman of San Diego, and Ellie and Lucia Clark of Santa Cruz; her sister-in-law, Margaret Milliman of Carlsbad; and her life partner, Lucy Parker of Laguna Woods.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, October 1 at 11 am at Faith Episcopal Church, 27802 El Lazo, Laguna Niguel. That afternoon, a Celebration of Life luncheon buffet will be held in Laguna Woods Village at 1 pm at the 19 Restaurant and Lounge (Village Greens), 24122 Moulton Parkway (inside Gate 12),Laguna Woods. Non-residents wishing to attendshould email lvparker@gmail.com for gate clearance.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites friends to make a tax-deductible contribution in Joan's memory to the Laguna Woods History Center, either by check at P.O. Box 2220, Laguna Hills, CA 92653, or by credit card at lagunawoodshistory.com.