Joanne Curtis

Joanne Elizabeth (nee Elliott) Curtis, 84

September 10, 2015

Joanne Elliott Curtis, 84, of Petoskey Michigan, formerly of Shelby Township, died peacefully on Sept. 10, 2015 at Independence Village of Petoskey, Michigan.

Joanne was born on October 26, 1930, in South Haven, Michigan, to Josephine and William Elliott. She went to South Haven High School and on to earn a BA (1952) from The University of Michigan. She taught elementary school in Royal Oak, Mich., and later at Alconbury Air Force Base in England, where she met Dr. Donald Curtis to whom she was married for 53 years. They were married in 1960 in Royal Oak, Michigan, and moved to Shelby Township, Michigan where they raised four children and lived for more than 30 years. In 1993 Joanne and her husband retired and moved to Ellsworth, Michigan where they lived on the shores of Lake Michigan and enjoyed family visits and sunsets for many years.

Joanne is survived by her loving children; Kathleen Curtis Reed (Paul), Mary Beth Curtis McHugh (Peter), and James Curtis (Debbie). She is also survived by twelve grandchildren of whom she was very proud, Grant Reed, Adam Reed, Connor Reed, Nathaniel Reed, Owen McHugh, Annie McHugh, Liam McHugh, Maggie McHugh, Emily Curtis, Bennett Curtis, Nathan Curtis, and Abigail Curtis, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Josephine and William Elliott; her siblings Frances Elliott Sholes, and Robert Elliott; her son Thomas Curtis; and her husband Donald Curtis.

A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 19, 2015, at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Charlevoix, Michigan. The family welcomes all to a visitation at the church beginning at 10:00 a.m. Saturday immediately preceding the mass.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Petoskey Public School Music Department, c/o Petoskey Public Schools, 1500 Hill St., Petoskey, Michigan 49770; Hospice of the Little Traverse Bay, c/o Vital Care Inc. 801 Lafayette Ave. Cheboygan, Michigan

The Winchester Funeral Home in Charlevoix, Michigan is handling the arrangements.