Joan Marie Massey

Joan Marie Massey, age 84, of St. Ignace, Michigan, died November 2nd, 2021, peacefully in her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born November 20th, 1936, in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, to John Lewis and Martha (Downs) Crockett.

Joan grew up in Sault Ste. Marie and was a proud graduate of Sault High School. She met the love of her life, Eugene Massey by happenstance. He was walking down the street and was introduced by a mutual friend. She was dressed to the nines as a simple yet elegant lady. He asked her if she would go to the Lake Superior State Basketball game, and she agreed. To make sure he would ask her on a second date, she left her earrings in his car. The rest is history and they married October 29th, 1960, at St. Mary’s Church in Sault Ste. Marie.

Joan was a member of the St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church in St. Ignace as well as the St. Anne’s Altar Society. She was a woman of God and would not miss a mass. She had her two priorities, church, and family. Everything else would always come after those two things.

Joan loved to go shopping and work in the garden. She also enjoyed cooking and baking. She was a lover of golden retrievers and she loved taking her dogs out on walks. She also loved to dine out, from Penny’s Kitchen in the Soo to the Dam Site Inn in Pellston for special family occasions. She will always be remembered by her family and friends for her unparalleled sense of style, strong will and quick wit. And especially for her continuous stockpiling of toilet paper aka her ‘Museum of Toilet Paper’.

Joan is survived by her husband, Eugene; daughter, Ann Massey of St. Ignace; daughter-in-law Chris Massey of Dyer, Indiana; grandsons, William, Patrick, and Michael; grand pups, Shamus and Sundance; sister-in-law, Emma Crockett; special niece, Francis Joan Peliter; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and nephews.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, John and Martha Crockett; son, Michael Massey; brothers, John “Jack”, Charles, and William Crockett; and sister Mary Crockett-Cleveland.

Services will be held November 15th, 2021, at St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church. Visitation will be from 10:00AM to 11:00 AM with the service to follow.

Her final resting place will be Oaklawn Chapel Gardens in Bruce Township, Michigan.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to: Fr. Frank Ricca, Dr. Angela DesAntis, Ruby Shaffer, Kim Hagen, Kim St. Andrew, Regina Mayla, Sharon Lasley, Colleen Lindeman and McLaren Hospice; especially her nurse Kalce and Aide Tina. The family would also like to extend a special thank you to The Shepler Family, their Ferry company and crew for their kindness, compassion and understanding when it came to facilitating Ann’s work environment, ensuring her mother (Joan) could have her last wish to be cared for and pass peacefully at home.

Galer Dodson Funeral Home & Cremation in St. Ignace, Michigan, is serving the family. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.galerfuneralhomes.com.