Joan Marie Gignac Rinard

Joan Marie Gignac Rinard, 100, passed away peacefully on January 11, 2025, surrounded by loved ones in her home.

Born July 31, 1924 in Chicago, IL, she was the daughter of Ferdinand and Susan (Minton) Gignac. Joan moved to Glendale, California as a teenager, where she met and married her beloved husband, Harold Rinard. After WW II, the young couple moved to Burbank where they bought a home and raised two children (Sherry and Jay). In 1956 Joan began a 34-year career with Lockheed Martin Corporation where she started as a clerk typist and eventually retired as the Records Manager.

Joan was truly an original and beautiful character. She was feisty, outspoken, energetic, intelligent and had a genuine charisma that drew people to her. She was caring and generous to family, friends, and especially the children in her life. She lived a full and colorful life as an accomplished seamstress, avid gardener, world traveler, enthusiastic theater attendee, and a wicked pinochle player. 

Two achievements, outside of raising her family, that Joan was especially proud of were: going back to school to earn her B.A. in Business Management at the University of La Verne and being presented the City of Burbank’s annual Volunteer Service Award for her tireless work with her church, the Braille Institute, and local library.

Joan was predeceased by her beloved husband of 49 years, her son Harold (Jay) and four siblings: Alice Barr Askew, Regina Diamond, Fred Gignac, and William (Bill) Gignac. She is survived by her daughter and husband, Sherry and Danny Breen of Templeton, California, as well as numerous extended family members and friends. 

Joan will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts. A graveside service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday February 1st at Hollywood Hills Forest Lawn Cemetery followed by a memorial reception/luncheon at the Smokehouse Restaurant in Burbank. Attendees should check in at the cemetery gate starting at 12:30 where they will be directed to a waiting area and then escorted in a procession to the burial site by a Forest Lawn coach.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her memory to the Braille Institute https://brailleinstitute.org/give