Joanne Blake passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 1, 2017 surrounded by her children, and loved ones and is now in the loving arms of her Lord and Savior. Born October 9, 1931 in Flint, Michigan to Judge Paul V. and Ann (Murphy) Gadola, who preceded her in death, as well as her two brothers Federal Judge Paul V. Gadola and Judge Thomas Gadola. She will be forever loved and deeply missed by her three daughters and a son; Deborah (Jim) Vickers of Cascade, Sharon (Bob) Oster of Norton Shores, Sandra (Larry) Kent of Rockford, and Brian (Sue) Blake of Lowell, 13 grandchildren, 3 step grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren with another soon to arrive and a special adopted granddaughter Anita Page Duddy of Derry Ireland. Joanne attended Stevens College and Michigan State College. In addition to raising her children she worked for the Interpreter Newspaper as a typesetter, owned her own jewelry business, and ventured into rental real estate. She will miss and be missed by her many friends especially her Friday night group. Joanne loved gardening and earned a Master Gardener certificate. She enjoyed playing the piano and had a lifelong passion for genealogy. She fought a long hard battle with peritoneal cancer and constantly amazed her doctors by her strength and determination of never giving up. A heartfelt thank you goes out to the loving care at Lacks Cancer Center and Faith Hospice. Visitation will be Thursday 2-4:00 p.m. and 6-8:00 p.m., with a vigil service at 3:30 p.m. at O’Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst Chapel, 3980 Cascade Rd. S.E., Grand Rapids. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday11:00 a.m. at St. Jude’s Catholic Church, 1120 4 Mile Road NE, Grand Rapids. Rev. Thomas Page presiding. Interment Graceland Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be to Lacks Cancer Center, c/o St. Mary’s Foundation, 200 Jefferson Ave., SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. The family welcomes memories and messages in the online guestbook at gerstfuneralhomes.com.
