Joanne Kathleen Mowery, of Shelby Township, originally from Lake Orion, MI, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, eldest sister, companion, and friend, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 12, 2025, at the age of 88.
Joanne was preceded in death by her parents, John H. Allen and Virginia Bell Hughes; her brother, John Allen; and her children, John S. Parker, Jr. and Susan K. Parker-Hewson, whom she carried in her heart always.
She is survived by her cherished companion of 35 years, John Z. Lewandowski, and his loving family; her beloved son, Michael J. Parker; siblings, Virginia Evangelista, Pamela Boscaglia, Irene (Mark) Hutton, and Timothy Rochon; grandchildren, Nicole Bronstorp-Ashford, Christopher Reaver, Domenic (Jenna) Terenzi, Sydney Terenzi, Claire Parker, and Jacob Parker; as well as several adored great-grandchildren who brought her immense pride and joy.
Born on July 1, 1937, Joanne lived a life defined by unwavering love for her family, quiet strength, sacrifice, and resilience. She carried herself with grace through life's joys, and challenges of which there were many. She persevered through an arduous childhood, cancer, divorce, and especially the profound loss of two of her children.
Through every hardship, Joanne always placed the needs of those she loved above her own. She had an open heart and home for her family, always insisting that an extra bedroom was a necessity, in case a grandchild needed a room to stay. She was also a fabulous baker. Joanne did the best she could with what she had and loved her family intensely, sweetly, and unconditionally. Gift-giving was her love language, and her joy came from making others feel remembered, cherished, and cared for.
She worked for many years as a bank teller and later in patient financial services with Beaumont Hospital (now Corwell Health). A survivor in every sense of the word, Joanne overcame breast cancer with a radical mastectomy at the age of 30, cared for her daughter throughout her life-ending battle, and was her granddaughter's biggest cheerleader following her recent diagnosis. She participated in many breast cancer fundraisers over the years and was the proud bearer of a special-ordered "50+ year survivor" sign during her last Komen survivor's march.
In keeping with her lifelong desire to help others, Joanne made the generous decision to donate her body to Wayne State University School of Medicine to aid in the education of future physicians.
In accordance with her body bequest and wishes, there will be no formal final arrangements at this time. Wayne State hosts a memorial service honoring donors once their contribution has been completed, which may take up to two years. Details of that service will be shared when available.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Corwell Health Foundation Southeast Michigan to support breast cancer research at: https://bit.ly/MoweryMemorial
Joanne will be deeply missed and forever remembered for her strength, her endurance, her gentle spirit, and her compassionate heart. Her legacy lives on in the generations she nurtured and the lives she touched.
Joanne was preceded in death by her parents, John H. Allen and Virginia Bell Hughes; her brother, John Allen; and her children, John S. Parker, Jr. and Susan K. Parker-Hewson, whom she carried in her heart always.
She is survived by her cherished companion of 35 years, John Z. Lewandowski, and his loving family; her beloved son, Michael J. Parker; siblings, Virginia Evangelista, Pamela Boscaglia, Irene (Mark) Hutton, and Timothy Rochon; grandchildren, Nicole Bronstorp-Ashford, Christopher Reaver, Domenic (Jenna) Terenzi, Sydney Terenzi, Claire Parker, and Jacob Parker; as well as several adored great-grandchildren who brought her immense pride and joy.
Born on July 1, 1937, Joanne lived a life defined by unwavering love for her family, quiet strength, sacrifice, and resilience. She carried herself with grace through life's joys, and challenges of which there were many. She persevered through an arduous childhood, cancer, divorce, and especially the profound loss of two of her children.
Through every hardship, Joanne always placed the needs of those she loved above her own. She had an open heart and home for her family, always insisting that an extra bedroom was a necessity, in case a grandchild needed a room to stay. She was also a fabulous baker. Joanne did the best she could with what she had and loved her family intensely, sweetly, and unconditionally. Gift-giving was her love language, and her joy came from making others feel remembered, cherished, and cared for.
She worked for many years as a bank teller and later in patient financial services with Beaumont Hospital (now Corwell Health). A survivor in every sense of the word, Joanne overcame breast cancer with a radical mastectomy at the age of 30, cared for her daughter throughout her life-ending battle, and was her granddaughter's biggest cheerleader following her recent diagnosis. She participated in many breast cancer fundraisers over the years and was the proud bearer of a special-ordered "50+ year survivor" sign during her last Komen survivor's march.
In keeping with her lifelong desire to help others, Joanne made the generous decision to donate her body to Wayne State University School of Medicine to aid in the education of future physicians.
In accordance with her body bequest and wishes, there will be no formal final arrangements at this time. Wayne State hosts a memorial service honoring donors once their contribution has been completed, which may take up to two years. Details of that service will be shared when available.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Corwell Health Foundation Southeast Michigan to support breast cancer research at: https://bit.ly/MoweryMemorial
Joanne will be deeply missed and forever remembered for her strength, her endurance, her gentle spirit, and her compassionate heart. Her legacy lives on in the generations she nurtured and the lives she touched.
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