JoAnn (May) Markovicz's Obituary
Our Lord called home JoAnn (May) Markovicz of Spring Lake, MI, on February 29, 2024.
JoAnn “Jo”, fondly known as “Mom”, passed away in Grand Haven, MI, after battling Alzheimer’s Disease for over a decade. She was 86.
JoAnn was born on November 27, 1937, to Mr. Richard P. & Zelma May in Youngstown, OH. She grew up during WWII as the youngest of five siblings. She attended school in Brownlee Woods, then on to Wilson High School and then graduated from South High School in 1955.
While at South High, she met Joseph “Joe” Markovicz in home room. They attended Prom in the spring of 1955. As high school sweethearts, Joe and JoAnn were married on May 10, 1958, at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Youngstown. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary last year. In the fall of 1958, JoAnn graduated from Youngstown College and Youngstown Hospital Association from the Registered Nursing Program and received her RN license. Her work in pediatrics “Peds” and caring for babies was near and dear to her heart.
As newlyweds, they honeymooned in Mexico City & Acapulco, Mexico. It was the first big trip in life which gave them the travel bug. JoAnn enjoyed how their lives revolved around flying and visiting many states throughout the US, Canada and Mexico.
They started their married life and family in Youngstown and then moved to Menominee, MI, in the Upper Peninsula in 1971. JoAnn was actively involved in her children’s schooling with volunteer work including scouting while also working part-time as a RN at Menominee Hospital where she continued to care for patients, especially children.
The family moved downstate to Spring Lake, MI, in 1977. JoAnn made many friends especially with neighbors and the ladies in her bridge, tennis and golf groups. She loved attending her kids’ sporting events and never-ending school activities.
Her volunteer work included several years with Hospice when it was first formed locally, where she helped care for others in their time of need. She volunteered for the Red Cross where she co-chaired the annual fundraising golf tournament for several years. She was an advocate for the Ottawa County CASA program helping foster children and their families. JoAnn volunteered with Wetland Watch. She dedicated many hours to St. Mary’s School and Church in Spring Lake over the years: helping in the classrooms, leading Speed Reeding, helping with the annual church festival and serving on the funeral luncheon committee.
Mom enjoyed traveling to automotive conventions (PERA) with Joe all over the country. She especially loved visiting with friends in Las Vegas, Palm Desert and traveling back to Ohio to visit with lifelong friends and family. She attended every class reunion including the 55th year celebration in 2010 in Youngstown. She loved mowing the yard and taking care of her impatiens and tulips. Raised in the Lutheran faith, JoAnn attended Catholic Church starting in 1958 until she was received into Full Communion in the Catholic Church later in life. On any given weekday you could find Mom running errands or playing bridge or golfing with her friends. Her favorite holiday was Christmas where she fondly decorated the house and put up her bear-filled Christmas tree. JoAnn taught the grandchildren card games where they could win special “prizes” she collected on her errands throughout the year. She enjoyed going to the casino from time to time. She liked the Gourmet dinner nights with neighbors who became good friends over the years. Mom enjoyed music—Mom was our sunshine. There were lots of long summer days spent on the boat watching sunsets on Lake Michigan, swimming and enjoying the beauty of our area.
JoAnn was preceded in death by her parents, all of her siblings and their spouses: Dick (Alva) May, Eva (Lloyd) Reedy, Dottie (Don) Buehler and Millie (Gene) Hale.
JoAnn is survived by her husband Joe, their three children, Joe (Mary Metivier), Jeff (Eileen Hanson), and Jill (Christopher) Johnson. Seven grandchildren: Maggie (Phil) Gerber, Amy (Matthew) Goebel, Molly (Joey) Evans, Elizabeth, Jacob (Alyssa Hayward), Emily and Erin. Six great-grandchildren: Asher & Arik Gerber, Tommy & Patrick Goebel, Norah & Luella Evans.
JoAnn is also survived by her in-laws, sisters and brothers: Rose (Tom) Griffith, Marge (Mick) Dornick, Tony (Patty) Markovicz, and Casey (Sussie) Markovicz as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A very special word of thanks and gratitude to Kathy Garcia Knoll. Her love and friendship was very endearing to all of us, especially Mom. We’d also like to sincerely thank North Ottawa Hospice for their dedicated support and care over the last several years. They have an amazing staff.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 AM Friday, March 8, 2024, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church (406 E. Savidge St, Spring Lake, MI 49456). Visitation will be held 4:30-7:30 PM Thursday, March 7, 2024, at The Spring Lake Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 213 E. Savidge St, Spring Lake, MI 49456, with a Rosary starting at 4:30 at the start of the visitation. There will also be visitation one hour prior to the service at church. Interment will take place in Spring Lake Township Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to St. Mary’s Church, Love In Action of the Tri-Cities or Trinity Health At Home – Grand Haven. Please sign the family’s online guestbook at http://www.sytsemafh.com.
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