Lesley "Joanne" Bagbey

Lesley Joanne Bagbey, age 73, a third generation Mackinac Islander, died Thursday, August 11, 2016, in Petoskey, Michigan. She was born July 2, 1943, on Mackinac Island, Michigan, to Otto “Bud” Lester Emmons and Bette Jean (O’Brien) Emmons. Joann grew up spending her summers on Mackinac Island and her winters in Ft Lauderdale, Florida. Her family owned and operated an original carriage tour on Mackinac Island and later her whole family worked for Mackinac Island Carriage Tours with Joann dispatching taxis for many years. She graduated from Ft. Lauderdale Central Catholic High School in 1961. Joann met and married Richard Bagbey on Mackinac Island. They made their year round home in the Mission area of the island and raised their two daughters there. Joann developed a deep sense of serving her community from her father and grandfather, both of whom had served as mayor of Mackinac Island. Joann served as Mackinac Island city clerk and as a matron for the Mackinac County Sheriff’s Department and was part of the security detail when President Ford visited Mackinac Island. She also worked for the Michigan Employment Security Commission and later retired from the Mackinac Bridge Authority. Joann was an officer of the State Employees Union and was a strong advocate for MDOT highway workers and the "give em a brake campaign”. She was also a critical member of the group responsible for the high way workers memorial placed at the rest area in Clare Michigan. Joann was a member of the Mackinac Island Lions Club, the Mackinac Island Snowmobile Club, and the Mackinac Island Ambulance Corp. Joann had grown up with horses and loved to ride. She was an excellent cook and enjoyed people and entertaining. Joann had a quick wit, a huge sense of humor, and was usually the life of the party. It would not be uncommon to find her dressed for special occasions like the Mackinac Island Lilac Parade or as Santa Claus while taking tolls at the Mackinac Bridge. Above all else, she loved to spend time with, and took every opportunity to spoil her grandchildren, where she was affectionately given the nickname, "Nama Goose " for all of the mother goose books she read to them...the nickname stuck and was later shortened to "Goose" a name that many friends and family will remember her by. Joann is survived by two daughters, Shelley (Jeff) Izzard of Cadillac, Michigan, and Tammey (David Tassier) Schlehuber of Cedarville; and grandchildren, Amelia (Rick Luis) Gustafson, Zakk Izzard, Joe (Fern) Schlehuber, Sam Schlehuber, and Mitchell Schlehuber. She is also survived by one brother, Michael Emmons of St. Petersburg, Florida. A gathering of friends and family will be held at the Gate House Gazebo on Mackinac Island on, Monday August 29, 2016 from 5pm to 7pm. R. Galer Funeral Home in Pickford, Michigan is serving the family. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.rgalerfuneralhome.com.

Tributes

Lesley "Joanne" Bagbey

July 2, 1943 - August 11, 2016