JoAnne Moore, “Josie,” of Chelsea, Michigan, age 90, went to be with her Lord on Monday, February 7, 2022 while surrounded by her children.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Maud O’Dell, husband, Robert C. Moore, and her brother, Donald L. O’Dell. She is survived by her four children: son, Mike (Cathy) Moore, and their son, Austin; daughter, Sherry (Mike) Nadeau, and their children, Stacy Kersten and Chris Nadeau, son, Bill, and his sons, Colten and Trevor; and daughter, Karen Moore; and one great-grandson, Bennett “Benny.”
JoAnne was born in 1931 in McGuffey, Ohio, the daughter of William A. and Maud L. (Minix) O’Dell. She had a brother, Donald “Digger” O’Dell, her only sibling, and the two of them were closer than any siblings could wish to be. Once she came to Chelsea, Michigan, Joanne remained there her entire life. Once she married Robert, she never left the home on Ivey Road that he, his father, and her father built for them.
One of JoAnne’s wishes was to remain in her beloved home until her end. Her family was blessed to be able to make provisions for her to do just that. Also, they were able to keep a promise that they made to their father upon his passing in 1995 regarding ‘take care of your mother.’
JoAnne was a beautiful woman with the most gorgeous skin you could ever ask for. She was always dressed to the nines, not in expensive clothes or jewelry, but she adorned them with class and style, even if they came from a garage sale or off the sale rack at her favorite department store.
JoAnne was a loving daughter, wife, mother, sister, friend, and at the top of her list was HER LOVE FOR HER FAMILY. She thought her children were perfect and could do no wrong. Believe us, we did wrong, but in her eyes there was NOTHING we could ever do to change her love and opinions of us.
As a young woman, JoAnne’s first job was at Argus Camera, where she proudly worked assembling the cameras and later became a model in their brochures. That all makes sense to those who knew her, for she sure was one beautiful woman right to the very end. She also worked for State Farm Insurance in Ann Arbor and Dick Cobb from Chelsea. Then, for well over 15 plus years, she worked at Atkinson Chiropractic where she really shined. She was their insurance billing clerk by title, but quickly became “the person everyone wanted to see” when they came and checked in for their appointments. Many even gave her huge hugs, and she was “THE REASON” they couldn’t wait to get there each time for their appointment.
For those she loved, JoAnne loved them with every ounce of her being. Her favorite place was at home, taking care of her children and her spouse. She nurtured that love for many years in a small, but “love and energy filled” house. She wrote beautiful poetry, and she loved to shop and attend holiday parties, especially family gatherings or gatherings with friends.
She collected dolls for many years, and in more recent years, she collected angels. She was surrounded by their beautiful love and energy.
JoAnne prided herself in looking just so, and she had matching jewelry for every outfit that she added to her wardrobe. Friends and family close to her can attest to the fact that her hair was a main priority for a large portion of her life. It was important for JoAnne to show her beauty on the outside, even when she was hurting deeply on the inside. For her, that spoke of strength and “I have got it all together,” when many times she was beautifully broken just like the rest of us.
Here in the last year, and most significantly the last few months of her life, JoAnne’s relationship with God and her faith in Him taught all of those close to her how we all should live our lives. She talked to God most of her life, but at the end of her life it was every day, all day long. She heard Him talking back to her, and what a gift that was for her.
I hope she knows the legacy she left and how much she will be missed on this earth.I hope she also knows that she’s at the top of the list for many as to one of the first people we hope to see when we are granted the chance to be with our Heavenly Father someday too.
Rest in Peace our beautiful JoAnne. We are so happy that you’re at peace and whole.
The family wishes to thank the wonderful caregivers who took care of JoAnne through the end of her life: Joan, Cara, Casey, Lori, Denise, and Brian. They laughed a lot, shared stories and outings, and lovingly cared for JoAnne. They loved her, and she loved them. Their compassion gave comfort to the family that their mother was in great hands.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 10, 2022 from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, followed by a funeral service at 1:00 p.m., with Pastor Josh Kuck officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Main Street Church in Chelsea or the Chelsea Retirement Community-Towsley Village.
