Joan Carol Garrett

GARRETT, Joan Carol. January 10, 2026. Age 83. Beloved wife of the late Gerald Garrett Sr.. Loving mother of Lauri (Doug) Sherry, the late Jeffrey (Charlene), and the late Gerald Jr. Proud and adored grandmother of Brett (Kali), Lauren, Jerry, Nicole, and great-granddaughter Livy Mae. Dearest sister of the late Richard Jr. (Shelvie) Schehr, Laurence (Joanna) Schehr, and Thomas (Lorie) Schehr. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. Joan, also known as “Joann,” “Joanie,” “Jo,” and “Palm Tree Joanie,” was a woman who lived life fiercely and with so much love and grace. She always tried to make the most out of every day and took kindness everywhere she went. She was born and raised in Detroit and was part of the first graduating class of Regina High School in 1960. She went on to work various jobs including a stenographer at Proctor and Gamble in downtown Detroit at the Michigan Mutual building. However, her most important and beloved job was being a mother. In 1961, Joan met Jerry in a park and initially turned him down when he first asked her on a date. However, Jerry asked again, and they ultimately fell in love. They married in 1962 and started a beautiful family. As a mother, she was always present and wanted nothing more than for her kids to succeed. She was a cub scout leader, attended every sporting event, and made the best buttercream frosting for birthday cakes. Above all, she always made sure that her children felt loved. In the late 1970’s she began making paper toll owls out of wrapping paper. Cutting and layering them with precision then mounting them on boards that Jer made. This crafting eventually turned into her and Jerry making and selling various crafts like wreaths and grapevine trees at craft shows. They created their company “A Little Something” and over the years displayed their creations at Meadowbrook Hall and the Festival of Trees. As the years went on, Jerry evolved their business into selling produce at farmer’s markets. She didn’t always enjoy the farmer’s markets, but she put on a smile and did it for Jerry. She had the wonderful ability to bring joy and fun into everyday life. She was a fashionista; always looked for a cute new outfit, enjoyed getting dressed up, and loved picking out new jewelry. You wouldn’t catch her leaving the house without her signature lipstick on. She was also an avid golfer. She may not have always hit the ball far, but she sure was accurate. She even putted better than most amateur golfers. She was even lucky enough to attend the Masters Tournament more than once. She loved her time in Naples, Florida with the sunshine and palm trees. Palm trees were always able to make her smile and brought her so much joy. She couldn’t wait to sit by the pool at her condo, watch the sunsets at the Naples Pier, and have an ice-cold beer at the Old Naples Pub. In her spare time, she enjoyed baking, especially apple jacks and chocolate chip cookies, knitting and making dish cloths, working on pencil drawings, completing jigsaw puzzles, solving a sudoku puzzle or completing the weekly crossword puzzle from the newspaper, and of course, watching football. Although not always fun to watch, she was a devoted Lions Football fan and was a season ticket holder for a few years. The most joy in her life came from being a grandparent. She spent every day making sure her grandkids felt loved, were having fun, and were well fed. She made the most delicious strawberry jam and could make you the best piece of toast to go with it. She would serve cups of tea and cookies at night to help unwind from the day. Grandma’s house was always stocked with her grandkid’s favorite foods, snacks, and drinks. She was at every school event, academic or athletic. She was at every birthday, every holiday, and if she couldn’t be, she would still make you feel so special. The most important part was that she was always there. There for smiles, tears, advice, hugs, and a safe space. She loved her family with her whole heart and spent her life protecting, defending, and caring for each of us in her own “Joanie way.” Joanie met every season of life with courage. She battled tragedy and multiple illnesses during her life, and though these hardships tried very hard to dim her light, take her smile, steal her strength and alter her kindness, they never won. She fought it all, every day, with grace and dignity. She was known for her kindness, gentleness, and warmth, touching everyone she met. Anyone who crossed her path, quickly felt her care and knew that Joan truly valued them. She had a way of making people feel safe, seen, and comforted. Always putting others before herself, she went out of her way to lift spirits and bring even a little bit of joy to someone’s day. Her generosity was natural and given without expectation, a reflection of her selfless heart. If you were fortunate enough to know Joanie, you knew you had encountered a genuinely caring and remarkable soul. Joanie’s life can be a lesson to all. Fight as hard as you can, even when you feel like you can’t. Smile, even if it feels like there is no reason to. Pray even when it feels like you shouldn’t. Find joy in every day and always BELIEVE. She will be deeply missed, but the warmth and kindness she shared will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” 1 Peter 5:10 Visitation Tuesday from 3:00-8:00pm at Wujek - Calcaterra & Sons Inc., (Shelby) 54880 Van Dyke at 25 Mile Rd. Funeral Wednesday Instate from 9:30am until time of 10am Mass at St. Therese of Lisieux Parish, 48115 Schoenherr Rd., Shelby Township, 48315. Interment, Resurrection Cemetery. Please share memories with the family at their online guestbook at WujekCalcaterra.com To watch the Mass at 10:00am, viewers can use the following link: https://youtube.com/live/jXwLhqveKaY?feature=share

Joan Carol Garrett

April 27, 1942 - January 10, 2026