Staff, students, and faculty of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship wish to express our condolences to the family of JoAnne Fields. After a prolonged illness of ovarian cancer, Joanne went to be with our Lord on June 11, 2008.

JoAnne was born in 1930 in Springfield, New Jersey. She did undergraduate work at Bethel College and Indiana University, after which she taught elementary school in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Delaware and worked as a volunteer with InterVarsity.

She earned a Masters Degree in Personnel and Counseling at Indiana University, taught courses, and was appointed Assistant Dean of Women at Albion College. She also worked as a Counselor for women at the University of Connecticut.

In December of 1965, JoAnne married Don Fields. They moved from Connecticut to Indiana, where JoAnne resumed her elementary teaching profession for a time. The Fields were blessed with two daughters, Becky and Debi. Don and JoAnne worked with InterVarsity students and faculty in Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky during their decades of staff work. Many current InterVarsity staff have been blessed by the training and mentoring that Don and JoAnne provided.

To InterVarsity’s Indiana Divisional Director Rhonda Welborn, JoAnne was a teacher, mentor, encourager, Bible study leader, and friend. “She was an incredible example of a life fully submitted to and in love with Christ,” said Rhonda.

Our prayers are with JoAnne’s husband Don and their two daughters. We ask God to comfort and encourage their hearts.