Joan Margaret Starling (maiden name Joan Margaret Hazell), a longstanding resident of the Redmond area, passed away at her home on March 17th at the age of 86. She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Chris, daughters Janet Villella and Hilary Prentice, and four grandchildren: Henry Thomas, Anna Thomas, Claire Prentice and Sarah Prentice. Joan was loved and admired for her warmth, sense of humor, and unwavering commitment to the education of children and the development of educators.
Born in Whitchurch, Somerset, England in November 1938, Joan experienced the tumult and austerity of wartime and postwar Britain. She received her education at Redland High School and the Bristol College of Commerce, subsequently working in the administration of the University of Bristol and the Bristol Public Health Department.
Joan and Chris relocated to the United States in 1965. After her daughters began attending elementary school, Joan volunteered within the Lake Washington School District and decided to pursue further education to become a teacher. Having earned Montessori teaching credentials from Saint Nicholas College London, she established the Sammamish Montessori School adjacent to her home in 1977, starting with an initial class of 12 students. Her husband, Chris, contributed by crafting custom furniture and fixtures for the school and later joined her efforts after his retirement from Boeing. Joan’s daughters also joined the school, and together the family expanded the school to serve over 300 students annually, making it one of the largest and longest-operating authentic Montessori schools in the Pacific Northwest. Over the family’s 45-years of ownership, the school positively impacted more than 10,000 students and hundreds of educators in the Redmond area creating a Legacy in the Montessori community. The family sold the school to new owners January 2023.
Joan had a passion for travel, cooking, and was an accomplished and prolific oil painter. The family is hosting a Celebration of Life in honor of Joan’s life and legacy on June 7, 2025 and is sending invitations via Evite. If you would like to attend and did not receive an invitation, please reach out to Joan’s daughters Hilary Prentice or Janet Villella janetvillella@gmail.com.
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