Joanne Lena Stitz

She was born to the late Nick and Lena Philips on November 21, 1942. After graduating from St. Francis Xavier high school, Joanne chased her dreams and became a registered nurse in 1963. She met her beloved husband Donald Stitz and shared 56 years together, raising their 2 daughters, Denise and Juliana and spent many family vacations on the beach in Port Austin, Mi.

Jo was empathetic which no doubt led her to nursing as a profession, but she was also driven in her career. In May 1987 she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Madonna University. Joanne spent the bulk of her professional life at Metro Home Health Care, where co-workers became her work family.

She loved meeting new people, becoming fast friends with everyone. She was loving, giving and generous with her time, going out of her way to make every moment big and small special for her friends and family. Joanne’s spirit of generosity was present in everything that she did in life.

In retirement, she loved spending time in the kitchen, canning jams and jellies and keeping the cookie bin full. Joanne was known as the Chief of the Cookie Crew; she made over 30 different types of cookies each year to share family and friends during the holidays. When she wasn’t busy baking, she was reading either a romance short story, one of Nora Roberts trilogies or the latest John Grisham novel. She tended her garden and the colorful flowers scattered about pots the deck during the spring and summer.

Joanne is survived by her beloved husband Donald Stitz, children Denise Mahnick and Juliana Harper (Wayne), grandchildren Isabella Hambly and Logan Harper, siblings Nick Philips, Diana Szymanski, Michael (Debra) Philips, Janet-St. Therese Marie, Judy (Jerry) Pontone, David (Pamela) Stitz, nieces and nephews: Ann Marie (Ernie) Hernandez, Sarah Stitz-Krawetz (Bob), Emily Stitz, Leah Pontone Tessier (Jim), Devon and John Szymanski, Jeffrey Phillips, Greg Pontone and many grand nieces and nephews.

Joanne was preceded in death by her parents Nick and Lena Philips, Vincent and Helen Stitz, and family Donald Szymanski, Carol Philips, Kevin Philips, Brian Szymanski.

The family of Joanne invites you to join them in celebrating her life on Saturday, September 17, 2022, from 3:30 PM to 8:00 PM at Harry J Will Funeral Home 37000 W. Six Mile Road, Livonia, Michigan 48152. We’ll share our favorite memories at 5 pm.

If you wish you can share fond memories and expressions of sympathy at www.HarryjWillLivonia.com for the Stitz family.