Dear Friends and NABIP Colleagues:
As many of you know, our beloved Joan Bumgarner, affectionately known as “Mamma LAAHU”, passed away on Sunday, December 13th, 2020.
This extraordinary and compassionate woman who touched so many lives was a class act and one of a kind. Joan was loved by so many. She will be deeply missed - remembered but not forgotten.
Joan had a long-standing personal connection to Camp Ronald McDonald For Good Times. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting a donation in Joan’s memory be made to Camp Ronald McDonald For Good Times. You can do so at: https://rmhcsc.org/camp/page/Donate
When you’re on the donation page, please be sure to check the box next to “This gift is in memory of,” and type “Joan Bumgarner” directly below where it says “Leave a comment (optional). This way, Camp Ronald McDonald For Good Times will be advised that your gift is in memory of Joan.
Tribute to Joan Bumgarner
Born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1945 and raised on Long Island, Joan has always had the heart of a servant. Her love of family was her passion and her annual family vacations were legendary. Joan was loved by her past husband, Don Bumgarner, six children, seven grandchildren, great-grandchildren.
Joan joined the Los Angeles Association of Health Underwriters (LAAHU) in 1991 and the Board of Directors a year later. She served on the LAAHU Board for over 20 years, including as President for an unprecedented three times: 1999-2000, 2000-2001, & 2006-2007.
A nickname for Joan evolved - Mamma LAAHU - as her love of family was prevalent in her mentoring and care of this Association, for the members and volunteers. Joan often joked about LAAHU as an extended part of her family and tales are told about Joan's many traveling LAAHU “husbands” - even Don approved!
Joan will always be remembered for her love of food. Whenever there was a time for AHU members to get together for a lunch or dinner, whether it be in Washington DC for Capitol Conference or the many different locations for NABIP Convention, Joan was always there to pick the restaurant and coordinate a fabulous feast for us.
Joan has also served the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals at the State and National levels. Joan served as the CAHIP VP of Communications and then onto NABIP's Region 8 Awards Chair leading up to the NABIP National Awards Chair. We are truly fortunate she continued to heed the call of leadership on all levels!
Joan received many awards and accolades for her outstanding service and dedication for her detailed accomplishments in business, leadership, innovation, mentoring, and service in the community - and Joan had these qualities in abundance:
· 2001 – LAAHU Paladin Award - LAAHU’s most prestigious award
· 2008 – NABIP Distinguished Service Award (DSA)
· 2012 – LAAHU’s Woman of the Year Award
Joan served the agent community as a Field Sales Director in Word & Brown's Los Angeles office and has been a key member of their team for over 20 years. Joan enjoyed the appreciation and loyalty of her colleagues developed over her 47-year insurance career, during which she had also been a broker and a Group Representative for CareAmerica.