Joanne Waldo Stewart

Joanne Waldo Stewart was a longtime resident of the Les Cheneaux Islands and Cedarville, Michigan. Joanne often said that she’d lived many lives in her lifetime. She died in her home on Sunday, September 14, 2014, at the age of 90. She was blessed to have lived a full and interesting life. Joanne was born on February 4, 1924 in Detroit, Michigan to Charles Gilbert Waldo Jr. and Dorothy (Derby) Waldo. Her ancestors included the families, Ballard, Colburn, Derby, Standish, Waldo, Wood, and Zoller. Her mother and father met in the Les Cheneaux Islands and Joanne came to Les Cheneaux for the first time in a baby basket, 90 years ago. She spent many happy summers in the Snows and she became a permanent resident in 1983. Joanne was actively involved in many social and civic organizations, volunteered at Detroit Orthopedic Clinic, and conducted tours of historic downtown Detroit Churches. During World War II, she was a member of the WAVES. She was a pilot, a traveler, a philanthropist, and a creative and complex person. She devoted many years of her life to the care of her son Gil. Until her health began to decline, Joanne was an active and involved member of the community. She was known for her generosity and her infamous casseroles – often being asked to bring paper products to the church events instead of something home cooked. She had many other talents and her creativity and beautifully wrapped boxes put smiles on many people’s faces. Joanne is survived by one daughter, Dorothy Derby Stewart-Amsden of Scotland; two sons, H. Whitney (Carman Nemecek) Stewart of Capac, Michigan, and John A.B. (Louise) Stewart of North Glenn, Colorado; and two granddaughters, Reyna Roll and Marquette Stewart. She was also given loving care by Cathy Hamel, Dusty Athey, Anna Fisher, the EUP Hospice, and Dr. Slater and his considerate staff. Joanne was preceded in death by a son, Gilbert Waldo Stewart. Services will be Thursday, September 25, 2014 at R. Galer Funeral Home, 24549 S. M-129 in Pickford, Michigan. Visitation will be held from 11:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M. with the funeral service to follow at 1:00 P.M. Burial will be in Cedar Cemetery in Cedarville. Memorials may be made to the Les Cheneaux Community Library, National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression (NARSAD), or your local Humane Society. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.rgalerfuneralhome.com or PO Box 541, Cedarville, MI 49719.

Tributes

Joanne Waldo Stewart

February 4, 1924 - September 14, 2014