Joanne Nancy Schultz

Joanne is survived by her three children, Alexis, Trevor, and Hunter; her sister, Debbie; her brother, Steve; and her father, Mel; as well as her nieces and nephews—Bradley, Jessica, and Kristen—and many dear friends and extended family.

Joanne was born to Richard and Mary Brown. At age five, she moved to a farm in Tottenham, Ontario, where she began to develop her strong work ethic and resilience through hard farm work and modest means. She was enveloped with love by her Ukrainian grandparents who raised her and her sister, Debbie, shaping her strong family values. She spent her days running through the fields with her cousins, who became her summer siblings. She also had a favorite pet cow named Nellie, which led her to swear off red meat from that point on.

After moving off the farm in their teenage years, Joanne and her sister Debbie were adopted by Mel Dombrofsky, who forevermore became their father. Joanne was always ambitious, and in high school she championed the first co-ed football team at Earl Haig Secondary School in Toronto. After graduating, she entered the professional world, working at Charles Able Photo in the city, where she combined her passion for photography with her growing interest in business. At a time when she worked in a male-dominated industry, she consistently defied social norms and proved her excellence every step of the way.

After several years building her career in Toronto, Joanne traveled to Florida, where she met the man she would later marry, Gordon “Chip” Schultz. Together, they had three beloved children. As her love for Chip grew, so did her love for the water, and the two began working together in the yachting world as captain and first mate. After many adventures traveling up and down the East Coast, they set their sights on Stuart, Florida, where they put down roots. There, they befriended a group of window tinters and decided to change course, founding their own window tinting company, Tropic Tint.

As she continued her hard work at Tropic Tint, she also became a mother. Her constant perseverance in business, as well as in family life, could only be matched by her witty sense of humor, which was simply the best, and something that will be missed the most. She raised her three children, Alexis, Trevor, and Hunter, first in Palm City, then in Sewall’s Point, and eventually Jupiter, Florida, where they made lifelong family friends. The family became a part of the Bridges Montessori, Walden Academy, and Pine School communities, which shaped and guided the entire family tremendously. Seeing her children go on to college was one of her greatest joys, as she was forever an advocate for their, and others’ education. She created countless beautiful memories not only for her children, but also for their friends, who will cherish them forever.

Joanne owned and operated Tropic Tint—fondly known as “the big pink building at the foot of the Roosevelt Bridge”—for over 40 years and became a respected leader in the industry. Through her experience, she recognized gaps in support for business owners and went on to develop a business management software called Tint Pro. Through this work, she formed deep friendships and meaningful connections, gaining a close understanding of her clients’ day-to-day challenges.

In November 2024, Joanne was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer, a diagnosis she kept extremely private, sharing only with a small group of family and friends in January 2025. She immediately began treatment, including chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Soon after, it was discovered that she had a rare genetic mutation known as KRAS G12D. In July 2025, she underwent a pneumonectomy at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida, where it was discovered that the cancer had already spread beyond the lung, advancing her diagnosis to stage 4. Her children, her sister Debbie, and her lifelong friend Susan Lacey, among others, remained by her side as she continued her fight through radiation and a clinical trial. Joanne never, not for a moment, gave up her determination to stay longer with her family and loved ones. No one imagined that she wasn’t going to beat it.

After a series of health complications, Joanne passed away peacefully on Friday, April 3, at 7:13 p.m., at Martin Memorial North, surrounded by a small group of family, friends, and an abundance of love. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her and will remain forever in our hearts.

A Funeral Service will be held at St. Christopher Catholic Church, 12001 SE Federal Hwy, Hobe Sound, FL 33455, US, on April 10, 2026, from 11:30 am to 12:15 pm. A Committal Service will follow at Fernhill Memorial Gardens & Mauso, 1501 South Kanner Highway, Stuart, FL 34994, US, on April 10, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 1:30 pm.