Joan Ann Culford Rien, 76, died Wednesday, Aug. 12.

She was born in Livermore to Charlotte and Lloyd Culford, and raised there. She graduated from Livermore High School with honors and attended San Jose State University.

She was an elegant lady with enormous talent. Her life-long passion was art and music. She became an accomplished painter and classical pianist and organist.

Ms. Rien was one of the first women hired by the University of California, Lawrence Livermore Laboratory as a draftsman and technical illustrator. She retired in 1978 after 15 years, and from 1982-95 served as the bookkeeper for the Law Offices of Timothy B. Rien in Livermore. In 1993, she moved to Oakdale where she became active in the Oak Valley Art Society and was a featured organist and pianist at the Community United Methodist Church.

She loved reading and bridge, and the many friends she made and kept despite beating them.

She is survived by her sons, Timothy B. Rien of Pleasanton and Toby L. (Corinne) Rien of Clovis; adopted sons, David J. (Melanie) Rien of Houston, TX, Thomas M. Rien of Saratoga, Richard R. (Susan) Rien of Sacramento; sister, Marilyn (Robert) Athenour of Pleasanton; nephews, Karl (Laurinda) Vargas of Oakdale and Thomas (Jill) Athenour of Denver, CO; niece Ann Athenour (Eric) Martin of Pleasanton; 10 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 21 at the Community United Methodist Church, 1480 Poplar St., Oakdale followed by a public graveside memorial at 3:30 p.m. in Livermore at the Memory Gardens Cemetery, 3873 East Ave.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made in her name to United Methodist Women or the music program at the Community United Methodist Church, 1480 Poplar St., Oakdale, CA 95361; or to Community Hospice, 4368 Spyres Way, Modesto, CA 95356.

The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader

Aug. 19, 2009