Joanne Louise Quarles

Joni passed peacefully in her home surrounded by her husband, niece and close friends after a long battle with cancer. Joni has been a 45-year resident of Alaska. She spent her childhood in the Lower 48. Joni was born in Minneapolis, Minn., on June 14, 1950. She was the youngest of four children. Her parents were Marvin and Dotty Bonine and siblings Suzanne, Thomas and James. She graduated high school in Glenridge, Mass., in 1968. She attended and graduated University of Massachusetts with a bachelor's degree in art in 1972. She obtained her master's degree in education shortly after. She started her teaching career at Merry Moppet Preschool and Belmont Oaks Academy in Belmont, Calif. Joni moved to Alaska in 1973, where she began her 35-year career with Alaska Airlines. Her career experience started as a ticket counter agent advancing to ticket counter supervisor. For a time, she was an Alaska Airlines representative at the SATO (Scheduled Airline Ticket Office) on Fort Richardson in the mid-80s. She was the Station Manager for Alaska Airlines in Barrow, Alaska, for eight years before her retirement. Joni was always highly regarded and excelled in her career with Alaska Airlines. She met and fell in love with her beloved husband, Gary Quarles, at an Alaska Air National Guard softball game. She played hard to get at first, soon relenting to his persistent charm having their first date at the Officer's Club on Fort Richardson. They were married on Nov. 24, 1979, at Joni's parent's house in Menlo Park, Calif. It was a beautiful and memorable ceremony and gathering including family and close friends. Joni was an avid and talented crafter. She enjoyed spending the long Alaska winters knitting cherished gifts for friends and family. She truly loved to needlepoint. Her loved creations are throughout the home and enjoyed by many. She was a true artist and encouraged her young nieces to be creative as well when they visited: painting, jewelry making, working with clay and teaching them to crochet and knit. Most every creation is incorporated with her signature heart. Joni was huge of heart and loved to give back to her community. She served for three years on the Alzheimer's Resource of Alaska Board of Directors. She was supportive of Wounded Warriors Project and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Joni is survived by her loving husband, Gary Quarles; her niece, Debby Weiss with husband, Tip and grandnieces, Cassidy and Katee; and her nephew, Jim Williams with wife, Rosalie, grandniece, Riley and grandnephews, Spencer and Cole. She is also survived by her stepdaughter, Carolyn Arbello with husband, Al, two granddaughters and two great-granddaughters. Joni has a close Alaska family as well. Included are Ross and Becky Clement, Ash and Sophia, Luke, Heidi, Story and Lillamore. A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, at The Bayshore Clubhouse, 3131 Amber Bay Loop in Anchorage, Alaska, from 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Alzheimer's Resource of Alaska. Joni lived a life full of compassion and support of others. Her smile and her long silver hair will forever be etched in our memories. She will be loved and missed from now to eternity.