Joan (Holbrook) Benno

Joan Holbrook Benno passed on August 13, 2022 after a courageous battle with cancer.

She was born in Watsonville, CA to Bernadette Morgan Holbrook and Robert Elwood Holbrook. Joan was raised on a ranch in the Pajaro Valley where her family had a long history. She graduated from Watsonville High School in 1953. Joan loved to ride horses and participated in many rodeos. Joan moved to the Monterey area after high school to attend college classes. She spent much of her time in Berkeley with her Grandma Morgan and Aunt Virginia, both of whom were major influences in Joan's life.

In 1956, Joan married Rudy Benno and together they had four boys. Michael (1958), Robert (1959), John (1960) and David (1961). Rudy and Joan settled in Hayward, CA and were divorced in 1969. Joan lived in Hayward where she raised her boys. Joan started working at Sea-Land Services at the Port of Oakland in 1967 until she retired in 1997. Sea-Land became like a second family to Joan where she met many lifelong friends. She was the first woman to work on the dock as a clerk at the Ferry Street Terminal. She was well respected by the teamsters, her co-workers and everyone that encountered her.

Joan had a wonderful sense of humor and was such a fun storyteller. She never failed to have everyone in stitches with her stories about raising her boys. Joan moved to Pleasanton in 2004 with her life partner of 30 years and husband, Bruno Arduini (1939-2006). Joan and Bruno enjoyed many years together, traveling the U.S. and world.

Joan leaves behind Her sons: John (wife Kim, step-son Mark and son Jake), David (wife Sara and son Joseph) and grandchildren (Michael's children), Aaron, Ryan, Jessica Benno, (Robert's son), Erik Benno and Marco Arduini as well as her great-grand children. She was pre-deceased by her son Michael 1958-2010 and her son Robert 1959-2020 (wife Ana). Joan also leaves behind her special friend with whom she had reconnected with from high school, Frank Herring of Santa Rosa. Joan leaves behind so many people that loved her. Words cannot express how much she will be missed.

Published in The Pajaronian · September 15, 2022