Joanna Lee Garvey

Joanna Lee Garvey, 52, of Freedom, fought her terminal cancer with extreme heart, soul, and bravery so she could enjoy and participate in as many of her family’s accomplishments as possible.  She fought her disease with extreme conviction for over 6 years, peacefully passing away surrounded by those she loved so dearly on Friday, June 17, 2016.

 Joanna came into this world with a bang on the 4th of July, 1963 to Ken and Margie Johnson. On September 17, 1994, she married her best friend, Dave Garvey.

Joanna devoted her life to her faith, family, and friends. She immersed herself in her daughters’ activities, participating in as many as she could.  Joanna’s brilliant, contagious smile could light up the darkest room. The smile became her trademark during her battle as she refused to acquiesce to the severity and the finality of the disease.

Joanna enjoyed cooking and creating special mementos for those she loved.  Among her many projects was a family recipe cookbook, which is proudly displayed and used regularly by her entire extended family.  She loved to play games, most notably sheepshead and volleyball, but her biggest passion was being an outstanding mother to her two daughters; a passion at which she excelled. 

Joanna is survived by her husband, Dave; her daughters: Aly and Sammy Garvey; mother, Margie (Jim) Springer; father, Ken (Ursula) Johnson; brothers: Glenn (Katy) Johnson and Jeff (Kathy) Johnson; brothers and sisters-in-law: Al (Joyce) Garvey, Lee (Linda) Garvey, Bob (Karen) Garvey, Sherry (Gary) Hooyman, Jeff (Sue) Garvey, Peggy (Bill) Gonnering, Laurie (Jay) VandeWettering and Pat (Erin) Garvey; an uncle, Jonathan Bouvé; an aunt, Marty Soderman; her faithful four-legged companion, Charley; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and special friends. She is preceded in death by her father and mother in law: Robert (Buzz) Garvey and Grace Garvey.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 21, 2016, at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, W2037 County Road S, Freedom. Friends may call at the Verkuilen-Van Deurzen Family Funeral Home Freedom Location, N3972 Columbia Ave., Freedom, on Monday, June 20, 2016, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and again on Tuesday directly at the church from 12:00 p.m. until the time of the Mass. Interment will be in St. Nicholas Cemetery, Freedom. For online condolences, please visit www.verkuilenfh.com.

The Garvey family would like to extend a sincere thank you to Dr. Charles Cheng, Dr. Dhimant Patel, the Aurora Healthcare Oncology Team, and Heartland Hospice for their compassion and care. Also a special thank you to all of Joanna’s tremendous friends who helped and comforted her during her difficult journey.   Your friendship meant more to Joanna and her family than you can possibly imagine.  

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