Joyce Jeanette Riddle

"Joyce" Jeanette Riddle, age 88, died peacefully at home November 20, 2015, surrounded by the love of her family and friends. She was born January 9, 1927, to Blanche (Clark) and James Wilcox, welcomed by her sisters, Doris Jean and Wiletta Ann. She married Robert L. Riddle on December 21, 1943, in Owosso, Michigan. Jeanette grew up much like an only child since Doris died at age 12 of Scarlett Fever and Wiletta went off to work and later, marriage. Cousins came to visit from time to time, but perhaps her best friend was her great-grandmother, Abby Clark, who shared her pioneer stories and four o'clock suppers with the young Jeanette, who would then scoot off to the five o'clock meal at home. Growing up on a farm nurtured Jeanette's love for and curiosity about nature. She watched the cycle of life unfold for sheep and chickens and pigs as well as for birds and squirrels and insects. She made clothes for many unsuspecting grasshoppers and once tried to suckle a very surprised mama barn cat. Bugs needed to be warm too, and a thirsty girl needed a drink as badly as any kitten. Jeanette worked hard to provide for her family, both when money was scarce and when times were easier. She made clothes; knitted sweaters, socks, hats, and mittens; baked bread and made potato soup; and her pies were like manna from heaven. She volunteered at schools, once attending Garfield Elementary, Sault Junior High, and Sault High School events in the same day. She committed her time and energy to the Sault Amateur Hockey Association and Hiawatha Figure Skating Club for the sake of not only her own children, but also for all the others who benefitted from those programs. There were times when she also needed to work outside of her home, so she had various jobs from waitressing in the early years to customer service at JC Penney, Soo Tour Trains, and Fashion Crossroads. Perhaps her most favorite job, however, was her time spent with the U.S. Forest Service where she was a secretary and was commissioned to paint local historic sites. Her entrepreneurial efforts were dedicated at one time to The Woodshed, an antique restoration and sales business she created with her daughter, Robin. Sharing her love of antiques through this shop and the decoration of her own home brought her great satisfaction. She was also responsible for the success of Northern Peninsula Tree Service, the company she established with her husband. She handled every aspect of this business except the actual tree trimming and industrial line clearance. Jeanette got her love of baseball from her mother who trained her well in the ways of the Detroit Tigers. She rarely missed a game whether televised or broadcast by radio. She also loved the Detroit Red Wings and wore her Datsuk jersey with pride. Wings' games kept her adrenaline pumping, and she often had to switch the game from television to radio so she could handle the pressure of a close game. She loved crossword puzzles and always did them in ink. Scrabble was her favorite game, but her rules dictated that points did not matter and you could lend and borrow letters if needed for a really good word. Jeanette was an avid reader who loved historical fiction, biographies, and a bit of romance, but most importantly, murder mysteries. Bayliss Public Library does not have many books in that genre that do not have her secret mark indicating that she had already read that specific thriller. Jeanette shared her great passion for life with her family and friends. She created gorgeous flower beds filled with iris, globe thistle, peonies, bachelor buttons, and more. She fed the deer, birds, squirrels, raccoons, and chipmunks like they were royalty, and she even made sure the red squirrels and mice got their share during the long, cold winters. She did not enjoy hunting, but once jumped on the back of a deer so that it could be killed to provide food for her family. She kept games, books, toys, and movies for her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and others to enjoy when they came to visit. The cupboard was always stocked with favorite snacks, and she never worried about messes created when baking, cooking, or just playing. She even had a large enamel pot full of special cookies for the dogs she welcomed like people. She also loved snowmobiling, sunbathing, making chokecherry wine, canning, sewing teddy bears from the same pattern as her own childhood bear, knitting afghans, relaxing with a dog or cat on her lap, and the taste of a garden-fresh tomato or potato salad. She was preceded in death by her sister, Doris Wilcox; her father, James Wilcox; her, mother, Blanche Kreger; her son, David Riddle; her sister, Wiletta (Ivan) Simpson; her husband, Robert Riddle; and her beloved Jack Russell terrier, Duke. Jeanette is survived by her son, Bob (Margie); her daughter-in-law, Winnie; and her daughters, Suzanne (Jim) Menard, Robin Savoie, and Peggy (Wade) Jewell. She leaves her legacy of curiosity, imagination, and perseverance to her nine grandchildren: Jamie (May) Riddle, Francie Riddle, Wesley (Amber) Riddle, Ryan Savoie, Brooke Savoie (Jason) Rizzo, Noah Menard, Nathan Menard, Abby Jewell (Josh) Danko, and Sam Jewell; and nine great-grandchildren: Lucy Riddle; Brittany Riddle; Kylin, Deitrich, Jackson, and Trenton Riddle; and Rayce, Rhett, and Ryder Rizzo. Arrangements are being handled by C.S. Mulder Funeral Home and Cremation Services. Condolences may be left online at www.csmulder.com and memorials may be made to Hospice of E.U.P., Bayliss Public Library, or Chippewa County Animal Shelter. A celebration of Jeanette's life will be held in the Spring.

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Joyce Jeanette Riddle

January 9, 1927 - November 20, 2015