Dr. Joan Mann

For everything there is a season…

A time to give birth, and a time to die;
A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted;
A time to tear down and a time to build up;
A time to weep and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn and a time to dance.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-4

Dr. Joan Katrina Mann “Katrina” was born in Fitzsimons Hospital just east of Denver on August 21, 1960 to her parents, Dr. James and Jocelyn Mann.

Katrina was the first born of two children. She and her brother Jamey grew up in a loving family that encouraged her to participate in plenty of activities and she did it with gusto!
From Girl Scouts to horseback riding, swimming and skiing she would go at it to the best of her ability. That’s how she lived. Determined, relentless, dynamic, compassionate and proud – always with a bursting smile and legendary laugh that rattled rooms from Park Hill to Atlanta, Paris to Poipu.

Katrina began her formal education in Colorado, graduating from Wheatridge High School in 1977. She went on to get her secondary education at Spelman College receiving her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education.

While at Spelman she pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Mu Pi chapter in 1981. From Spelman she went on to The University of Denver, earning both her Master’s
and PhD in Early Childhood Education.

Katrina had an enormous heart for the future of Black children. She fervently dedicated her life to closing the education gap for Black youth in Colorado. She spent more than
30 years working in Denver Public Schools and on education policy.

She was blessed with four children and five grandchildren who helped inspire her passionate fight to ensure all Black children received the education they deserved –and were not left behind. She loved raising her children in a community with other Black families and giving them life experiences, they will always remember. Her love for them was on full display through constant praise and admiration. Not only did Katrina make sure to be front and center for all her children’s accomplishments, but she was their rock to lean on in hard times and sorrow. Her spirit shines on through them.

Katrina was a member of Jack and Jill of American Inc. Denver Chapter where she held a number of roles which included being the youngest Chapter President and Member at Large.

As a natural adventurist, Katrina loved to travel. Her favorite places to visit were Paris and Hawaii. Though it took a while, Katrina eventually became a diehard Broncos fan and made sure all her children followed suit.

She met the love of her life Thierry Godette nine years ago and enjoyed her life with him. She especially loved riding in his corvette with her hair flowing in the air.

As a perpetual optimist, Katrina was a beautiful, witty woman who made sure her presence in a room was always noticed. Katrina just knew she looked like Whitney Houston. Unfortunately, when she sang it was, “Houston we have a problem.”

Katrina’s stories and storytelling talents were a treasure for us all. She could turn a 30-second encounter with a 4 year-old into a sitcom – leaving you gasping for air with laughter and a smile on your face for days.

She loved hosting gatherings for her family and friends and being the life of the party. Lookout Heaven there’s a new hostess in town. You ain’t seen nothing yet!!

Katrina is survived by her loving parents Dr. James and Jocelyn Mann, brother Jamey Mann, fiancée Thierry Godette, her four children Michelyn Johnson (Gary), Jocelyn Buckley (Eugene), Vashawn Buckley and Terry Boykin II, 5 grandchildren, Michael Hobley II, Mireya Johnson, Maia Johnson, Mason Johnson and Massai Johnson, niece and nephew Jaran Mann and Maria Mann, her best friend and support dog Sebastian, and a host of other relatives and friends.