Joanne Moran Robertson (91) was called to our heavenly kingdom to celebrate Christ’s resurrection on Saturday, April 3, 2021. She departed this life peacefully at her home with her loving, dedicated family by her side. She was born on July 13, 1929, in Detroit, MI to Gilbert James Moran and Virginia Neale Moran-Yeager. Her early years were spent in Detroit, Dearborn and Ypsilanti, MI where she attended Michigan State Normal College (currently Eastern Michigan University) and completed her undergraduate studies in English and Drama. She also began her graduate studies before marrying her adoring husband of 64 years, LCDR (retired) Robbie Robertson. For twenty-two years she traversed the U.S. at Navy installations while caring for her extensive brood of 5 cherished children.
Her love of people, passion for education and pragmatic nature were well suited to her life as a military spouse. Ever social, she forged bonds of friendship within the military community that lasted her lifetime, and often said they were her family. Joanne was also a lover of reading and passionate and dedicated to teaching. In the late 1970s through the 1990s she could be found educating bright young minds at what was formerly N.B. Forrest High School (now Westside High.) When she entered any room as a substitute, it would be to the sound of students clapping and greeting her with big smiles as they chanted, “Yay, we have Mrs. “Rob” today as our sub!” Joanne had a great capacity to roll with the vicissitudes of life, accepting whatever difficulties with grace, humor, and style. Her talents, keen intellect, ever-present smile and warmhearted graciousness for everyone she met endeared her to many. In retirement, Joanne had the pleasure of reading to hundreds of students at Sacred Heart Catholic School. She loved to discuss the humorous anecdotes from the joy students brought her, and instilled her love of reading into her “littles.” She was a lover of sports, and could, more often than not, win over the best in football pools.
Joanne was a devout Catholic with unwavering faith, and was an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. In addition, she was an active member of the Jacksonville community with social and philanthropic groups including the NAS Jax Officers’ Wives Club, Tri-Sigma Sorority and her “Breakfast Club.” She will always be remembered as an intellectual (and a daily, cover to cover, reader of the print copy of the Florida Times Union), a caring individual with a smile that radiated, who saw the positive in all situations and encouraged the underdogs, and a “mom” to many of her children’s friends, whose greatest passion and dedication was her faith and family. She was dearly loved and will be greatly missed.
Joanne is preceded in death by her parents; the love of her life, LCDR. (retired) Coll E. “Robbie” Robertson; and her cherished daughter Robin C. Robertson-McClendon; as well as many close family friends. She is survived by her devoted and loyal children: Joan “Jody” Chipoletti (Neal), Dawn Fenske (Terry), Coll Scott (Kelly) and Colin Robertson along with six grandchildren; Derek Chipoletti (Chrystal), Kelsey Ivey (Rodney), Taryn Fenske, Coll Robertson, Allison “Ali” Bahr (Coleman) and Tretyn “Trey” Fenske; three great-grandchildren: Austin Chipoletti (Cheyenne) from WA, Hunter Chipoletti and Harper Chipoletti, as well as three great-great grandchildren; Maizey and Hallie Chipoletti (WA) and Eloise Ivey (Fleming Island.) Her surviving extended family includes her sister-in-law Jewell Stibor (Fred), many nieces and nephews from Michigan as well as a cousin, Robert “Bob” Neale also from Michigan.
Family will welcome guests on Sunday, April 11th at 6:30 p.m. at HARDAGE-GIDDENS RIVERMEAD FUNERAL HOME, 127 Blanding Blvd., Orange Park, FL 32073. A celebration of Joanne’s life will be on Monday, April 12th at 11:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 5752 Blanding Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32244 with Fr. James Kaniparampil CMI, Pastor officiating. Graveside services will follow at Jacksonville Memory Gardens in Orange Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place Memphis, TN 38105. Please post words of comfort at www.hardage-giddensrivermead.com.
