Joanne Marie Hacala

Joanne Marie Burke Hacala passed away to be with Our Lord on August 28th, 2024. She was 89 years old. She is survived by her three daughters, Maria (Nickolas) Zizzi, Teresa Hacala, and Carmela (Douglas) Wilder. She has two grandsons, Matthew Edward Drake and Martin Wilder. She is survived by her dear sister in law, Rosemary Rubino Burke, many cousins and great nieces and nephews. Her family members that passed before her are her father, Matthew M. Burke Sr. (1964), her brother, Matthew Burke (1970) and her mother, Carmela Grimaldi Burke (1994), her nephew Matthew Burke (1989) and her nephew Samuel William Burke (1999). Her beloved husband Gerald “Jerry” Hacala “Hac”, passed away in 2012. Joanne and Jerry were married for 51 years. Joanne Marie Burke was born in Detroit, Michigan, on July 19, 1935. She attended Holy Name Catholic grade school, and St. Anthony High School in Detroit. She excelled at secretarial skills, and worked for an advertising agency and then for General Motors. She loved doing shorthand. As we were growing up, she would have steno books at the house and would write in a language that neither her three girls, nor her husband, could interpret. Joanne met Gerald Hacala at a dance, and that theme carried throughout their life together. They married on April 22, 1961 at Holy Name Parish on Van Dyke in Detroit. They bought a bungalow on the east side, and raised their family there for 30 years. She stayed home for several years to raise the girls, then went on to become a “Kelly Girl”, doing temporary jobs. She later worked for the Stroh Brewery Co. and Comerica bank, making many good friends along the way. Jerry and Joanne loved to dance together and they were a popular pair at the local church dances. The floor would clear for them when they when they got going. Dancing in the living room, with the record player on, was a favored activity at the house with the girls. Joanne loved her family, loved her friends and loved her church and the Holy Family. She gave many hours of prayer, devotion, and attending at Adoration. Joanne was practical. She believed in the faith that works. She volunteered for years at the MCREST shelter, helping those less fortunate. Her helping hand was always extended to those in need. Her quiet works of mercy go beyond words. Her home was welcoming and accepting. She served her guests with good food, strong coffee, love, compassion and laughter. The doors and windows would probably be open, so bring a sweater. She loved her garden. She loved the sunshine. She loved being outside. When Jerry was sick and she neglected her garden, she would say, “Oh, the Blessed Mother is taking care of it”. Her flowers flourished. Joanne was happy. As age does what it does, she continued to be happy, always thinking of how she could be helpful to others. At her last apartment, they called her “Miss Giggles”. She was a joy to be with. If you knew her, then you experienced her joy, her love of life, her gratitude for the small things, and her steadfast faith. You have been blessed by Joanne. A funeral mass will be held at St. Mary’s Queen of Creation Catholic Church, on Saturday, September 21, 2024 at 10:00 am, 50931 Maria St. New Baltimore, MI 48047. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen at cskdetroit.org.

Joanne Marie Hacala

July 19, 1935 - August 28, 2024