Joan M. Gawron's Obituary
Joan M. Gawron, age 87, passed away Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at the Poppen Residence. She was born on June 9, 1933 in Muskegon to Joseph and Eloise (Gosselin) Dault and resided in the Muskegon area all of her life. Early on, Joan worked at Shaw Walker, and then as manager of the rectory at St. Jean Baptiste Catholic Church. She then worked for 18 years at the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District as a mental health aide before retiring. Joan touched so many lives, as a wife, mom, grandma, aunt or friend. She was very active in the Muskegon community and enjoyed walking with her corporate cup group from South Shores, being one of the top volunteers for the USS Silversides Museum and being a resource and supporter of the USS LST Museum, working with the Muskegon County Genealogy Society and the Lakeshore Museum Center, dedicated 30 years to the Goodfellows / Old News Boys, and being the founding member of the Marsh Field Neighborhood Association. Joan also loved attending the Irish and Polish Festivals, and was a proud Union member. A friend of the family said, “We know Joan is giving St. Peter a few lessons on Muskegon’s deep and rich history”. Joan was the ultimate mother of the community, and always had a clear understanding of “who is my neighbor” and “… they are my brother, and my sister, and my mother.” She would often be heard saying, “Until you have the whole meal of life, you can’t have the dessert of eternity!”. There was never a time when there wasn’t a cot for someone to sleep on, or an extra place at the table for someone who needed it, to share that meal and hopefully that dessert. Because of her embrace of all human kind Joan will be cherished for all time as a jewel of jewels by her grandchildren, nieces, nephews, friends and one time strangers. On June 27, 1953 she married Henry J. Gawron and he preceded her in death on March 11, 2004 after 50 years of marriage. SURVIVORS include three children, Steve (Sue Paulson) Gawron, Mary Lousie (Harold) LaBelle and James (Amy) Gawron; 9 grandchildren, Todd Tueling, Jacob Gawron, Brittni, Derek and Gabrielle (Jake) LaBelle, Jim, Daniel, Elizabeth and Adam Gawron; 13 great grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Margaret Gawron, Mary Lund, and Betty Dault; and many nieces and nephews. Joan was also preceded in death by her siblings, Richard Dault, Raymond Dault, Barbara Faucher, Robert Dault, Clarence Dault, and Stanley Dault. The family would like to give a special thanks to her home healthcare angels. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a Celebration of Life for Joan will be announced at a later time. Private family internment will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Joan’s name may be made to the USS Silversides Museum or Lakeshore Museum Center. Share memories with the family online at http://www.sytsemafh.com. Arrangements by The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 6291 S. Harvey St. Norton Shores, MI 49444 (231) 798-1100.
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