Joanne Joy (Mcginnis) Debaere

Joanne DeBaere was born to eternal life on April 4 after a brief illness and now stands with Jesus in everlasting glory. She left this earth peacefully in the company of her family. She possessed the heart of a lion, the gentleness of a hummingbird, the grace of a crane, and the courage of a mother grizzly. She could usually be seen socializing with a cup of coffee in her hand and was a notorious lover of collectibles, including witches, Jim Shore, tea-for-one sets and her favorite scent of gardenias. She also loved the music of Kenny Rogers. She was born Joanne Joy to Reginald and Audrey McGinnis in Ishpeming, Michigan on December 20, 1938. A graduate of Ishpeming High School and Northern Michigan University School of Nursing, she delighted in spending her entire adult life caring for those who were less fortunate. Joanne was a dedicated nurse, serving for 17 years at the Luther Home in Marinette. She was later a tireless worker in the home healthcare field, in addition to operating an adult care facility out of her own residence in the final decades of her life. Joanne was also a devoted advocate of Cerebral Palsy Inc., volunteering for the CP Telethon as a pledge collector. However, her most cherished career was that of a wife, mother and grandmother. She married Dean DeBaere on December 24, 1985 in Green Bay. Behind a strong marriage full of love and laughter, they committed most of their free time to family and friends. Joanne leaves behind her husband, six children, 14 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, seven siblings-in-law and scores of loved ones. She was welcomed into heaven by her parents, her son Sean and her sister Mary Hanlon. Her visitation will take place at Cotter Funeral Home, 860 N Webster Avenue, De Pere, on Saturday, April 9 from 10 a.m. until the time of service at Noon with Bishop Robert Morneau. Mourners may wear black clothes if they wish, but she loved to wear and see people dress in bright colors. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established.