Joanne Mary Grow

Joanne Mary Grow (Irrer), age 91, from Lansing, Michigan, passed away peacefully with family on Saturday, September 13, 2025 at her home under the loving care of her daughters, Michelle and Melinda. The family extends its gratitude to the staff of Elara Caring Hospice for their kind and compassionate care in her final weeks.

Joanne was a New Year’s baby born January 1, 1934 in Saint Johns, Michigan, Clarence and Lorena (Pung) Irrer. The eldest daughter of nine children. She grew up on a farm in Portland, Michigan and started her education at a one-room schoolhouse. As a child her creative pursuits began with designing her own paper dolls from discarded catalogs. In 1952 she graduated from Portland High School.

In 1961 Joanne married and raised a family of three girls. Even after divorcing she remained on good terms with ex-husband Roger. She always felt welcomed and included by her former mother-in law Grace and their whole family. Taking fun weeklong trips to Crystal and Silver lakes.

A strong working woman for most of her life, Joanne started at the State of Michigan as a committee clerk then worked for various state representatives and senators first as a secretary then an executive legislative assistant. She worked on political campaigns, solved problems for constituents and taught her daughters about the importance of voting and the democratic process.

Joanne retired in 1994 and for several years after met for lunch with a group of work friends called the “Dome Dames”. Joanne was active with the Catholic Women’s Club, The Lansing Art Guild and the Lansing Scrabble Club. She was a volunteer with the Friends of the Delta Township Library on their board and for their bookstore for many years. She also served on her condo association board when they needed her.

Joanne loved to read and do countless crossword puzzles, the harder the better. She played euchre with the family from a young age. She loved going to yard sales and thrift stores with her sisters. She was a formidable Scrabble player and even ran local Scrabble tournaments and travelled to many tournaments around the country with best buddy Carolyn even placing in several. Her daughter Pamela can still hear her mother’s voice in her head. “never let an S go for less than 26 points!”

Joanne loved to travel. She took many trips with her children, friends and family over the years and especially loved Hawaii, Italy, Mackinac Island, and the Mohonk Mountain House in New York. In time her caregiver, daughter Michelle accompanied her especially on family trips to Arcadia, Michigan where Joanne loved to see the new babies in the family.

Those who knew and loved her remember Joanne’s artistic side and her great sense of humor which she kept in her final weeks. Her thoughtful handmade cards, watercolor paintings, porcelain dolls and handmade paper dolls were the stuff of legend. She even made a nearly life-size matching doll for

Granddaughter, Samantha, when she was in the second grade.

Joanne loved being a grandmother and made many trips to see them in Philadelphia over the years. She was thrilled to be a great grandmother. Her last trip being at granddaughter Abbey’s baby shower last April. She never met little Jack in person but loved the pictures and videos her granddaughter sent. Both her granddaughters proclaimed Joanne the “best Gram ever” and they will miss her dearly.

Joanne was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Shirley and Lorraine; and brothers, Clarence and Duane. She is survived by daughters Pamela, Melinda (Tim) and Michelle; granddaughters, Abigail (Christopher) and Samantha; great-grandson, Jack River; sisters, Janice, Linda and Mary (Jim); and brother David (Chris); as well as by many dearly loved nieces, nephews and friends. She also loved her church and was a decades long member of St. Mary Cathedral Parish in Lansing.

Visitation with the family is from 9-10 a.m. on Friday, September 26, 2025 at St. Mary Cathedral, 219 Seymour Avenue, Lansing, Michigan, where the Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Friday. The Rev. Father Carl Pung will preside and a luncheon will follow the Mass.

In lieu of flowers, gifts in her memory can be made to St. Vincent Catholic Charities of Ingham, Eaton and Clinton Counties at 2800 W. Willow St. Lansing MI 48917.

To send a message of sympathy to the family, sign Joanne’s online guest book, or to share a favorite memory, please visit: www.MichiganCremation.com

Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Grand Rapids, 616-452-3006.