Joanne Marion (Schmanski) Alspaugh

Joanne Marion Alspaugh

February 8, 1935  August 12, 2022

Joanne Alspaugh was the middle sister in a family of five girls

growing up in a small house on Meyer Street, Allen Park, Michigan

Married Robert Alspaugh November, 1968.  

She enjoyed a long marriage living summers on Torch Lake, Michigan

and winters in Naples, Florida

Invitations were frequent.  She offered winter weeks in Naples and 

summers on Torch Lake.  She organized a cruise inviting everyone 

in our family for our Mother’s 90th birthday.  

Lakeside cabins for all on her 95th.

Joanne enjoyed the company of friends and family.  

Always a good listener to whatever story was being told.

She welcomed children.  Mailed annual gift holiday certificates 

to Barnes and Noble for each of her great nieces and nephews.  

Year after year.

She generously hosted lunches and dinners wherever we gathered.

Joanne was a gracious hostess, making everyone feel at home.  

One New Year’s day brunch surprised us with plates of stovetop pork chops, 

over easy eggs topped with parsley.  And champagne of course.

Joanne dealt admirably with daily disruptions of narcolepsy and cataplexy. 

She lived well and controlled episodes with as much grace as possible.  

We remember the red convertible.  

Postcards from afar.  

Her successful travel company

The adventurous travel agent.

We’ll remember Joanne with pleasure whenever we travel.

While planting petunias in the stillness of tending a garden.

While cruising in a small motor boat, sailing, or paddling a kayak.

We’ll remember anytime we are near a Michigan lake or beside the ocean.  

Anytime we view cerulean blue waters.