Joan Ann Musgrove

Remembering Joan Musgrove Joan Musgrove (nee` Cata) was born June 4, 1961 in Harbor City, California to her parents Mathew and Sallie Cata. They lived in Redondo Beach, CA until Joan was 12, when they moved to Newbury Park. Joan attended Sequoia Middle School and then Newbury Park High School from which she graduated in 1979. She attended Ventura College and also completed some UCSB extension courses. She worked for the Ventura Community College District for a time as an administrative assistant, and then she went to work for NCR Co. in the San Fernando Valley for a year or so. Then she went to work at Thomas Business Forms in Camarillo as a receptionist. It was there that she met her future husband Brian Musgrove. They attended a Halloween party and got to know each other, and that started a romance that culminated in their marriage in June of 1983. They became parents when she gave birth to identical twins boys on May 5, 1987, and named them Mathew and Patrick. She became a stay at home Mom for a few years, selling Tupperware to bring in little extra money. She eventually gave birth to a daughter, Jenna, in August of 1991. She began a career in purchasing that started at Amplica, Inc. in Newbury Park, then moved on to Natel Engineering in Simi Valley. Meanwhile the family had settled in Moorpark, CA, where they first owned a condominium and eventually bought a house 2 years later. As the boys grew older and started playing sports, Joan became involved as team mother for their youth football team. She also kept score at their Little League games. She could be heard rooting the loudest for her kids’ teams, whether it was football, baseball, or basketball. She was always very easy going, making friends along the way, among co-workers and other moms. She joined the Mothers of Multiples Club of the Conejo Valley, and instantly made friends. She held office She touched people’s lives in a positive way, always willing to lend a helping hand, always giving. Holidays were special to her; she enjoyed decorating the house for Halloween and Christmas. Their current home in Moorpark is famous in the neighborhood for its holiday decorations. Her career in purchasing continued, going from 3DBM in Camarillo and eventually ending up at Solar World in Camarillo where she worked for fifteen years, before finally ending up at Life Technologies for the last 2 and a half years. She was a tireless worker, and for a time when her husband was out of work in 2000 was the only breadwinner in the family. She kept her family afloat until Brian could learn a new trade and change careers. Brian now is gainfully employed in the information technology field but he could have done that without Joan’s love and support. Her sons Mathew and Patrick graduated from Moorpark High School in 2005, after attending St. Bonaventure High School for 2 years. Jenna graduated in 2009. She and her husband served as the merchandise seller for the high school football team. She was always looking for some way to help out, always willing to give up her time for others. Joan began felling pain in her abdominal area in late May of this year, and underwent surgery to remove what was thought to be a fibroid tumor. Unfortunately, it was found to be cancerous. But doctors were optimistic that the cancer was treatable and that she could have a significant amount of time. But the cancer spread quickly and doctors were unable to stop the cancer from causing significant issues with other organs, like her kidneys and lungs. We were told on Tuesday morning, Aug. 31st that there was no hope to save her life and it was just a matter of days. She breathed her last breath later that night at approximately 11:45pm.