Joanne Marie Melchior

Joanne Marie Melchior (née Mangold) was born nearly a century ago to parents Edward and Harriet (née Eddy) in Detroit, MI, on August 8, 1926. One of seven children, she was affectionately called “Jo Jo” by her siblings Marianne Trokey, Marjorie Collins, Edward, Thomas, Harriet Ann Paulus and Ruth O’Neill; all preceding her in death. Joanne grew up on Drexel Ave. on Detroit’s East side. Her family belonged to the parish community of St. Martin where she received her education and her sacraments including marriage. Her teenage years were marked by the attack on Pearl Harbor and the call of her generation to defeat Hitler and the Axis powers. Bright, studious and patriotic, Joanne contributed to the war effort by joining the United States Cadet Nurse Corps. She graduated an accelerated nursing program at St. Mary’s Hospital School of Nursing in Downtown Detroit. She wore her nursing cape and uniform with pride; fondly remembering this chapter all her life. She loved working alongside the surgeons assisting in the operating room. She spent many years nursing at Jennings Hospital. In the summer of 1949, she married her elementary school classmate and Veteran Navy Sailor (USS Little DD 803) Carl Frederick Melchior II. They made their home on Chalmers and later Courville (St. Matthew Parish). They were married for 30+ years when her husband preceded her in death while Captain of the Detroit Fire Department (Engine Co 52) in 1981. Joanne and Carl had 5 children: Carl Frederick III (Rebecca Johnson), Thomas Michael (the late Laura), Richard Mark (Mary Katherine), Mary Ann (Wilbur Ruth), and her beloved youngest son and faithful guardian, Edward Charles “Eddie” (Kristin). Joanne and Carl were also prominent in the Lake St. Clair community, hosting generations of family members and friends at their beloved and idyllic island summer cottage known as “The Shack.” All of their grandchildren would spend the summers there, immersed in nature, creating bittersweet and everlasting Melchior memories. Joanne spent her retirement decades as a widow, always near and dear to her family. She was a loving grandmother to Heather, Gail, Carl Frederick IV, Mark, Laura, Elizabeth, Christina Lynn and Joey. She was a great- grandmother to Megan, Nicole, Sydney, Victor, Alex, Danielle, Audrey, Katelynn, and Andrew. Finally, she became a great-great-grandmother to Elena Grace just this year. Many memories were made with Grandma Melchior. She documented these treasured moments, especially with her Polaroid camera in the 1980’s, and carefully kept her favorite photos nearby all the days of her life. She was faithful to the art of letter writing and sending cards decorated with her flawless, signature penmanship. She was a voracious reader and enjoyed old Hollywood films. Maybe her favorite hobby of all was talking on the telephone, which all of her family can agree! She loved a good Chinese carryout and was always game for a bubbly cocktail! And lastly, most importantly, Joanne believed in prayer. She kept her rosary at hand and could recite it easily, even in her final days. She believed in life everlasting and that she was at the mercy of the good Lord. She was strong and stoic in the face of very old age and the end of life. She taught us well. A funny thing she liked to say … good bye for now, but not forever… “Good night, nurse!” There will be a Memorial Mass for Joanne at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at St. Peter Catholic Church located at 95 Market Street in Mt. Clemens. Memorial visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. until the time of Mass.

Joanne Marie Melchior

August 8, 1926 - April 9, 2025