Joan Grace (Huegel) Cianciola

Joan peacefully departed this world for her eternal home on July 30, 2019, at age 87. Born in Milwaukee on June 29, 1932 to William and Hazel Miles, she spent her adult life in Shorewood, Whitefish Bay, Bayside, and finally Mequon, where she lived with her family for 50-plus years. She was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, John A. Huegel, in 1999, and has been happily married for the last 18 years to her self-described “best friend”, Lawrence Cianciola. Joan is the loving mother of Kathleen Marie of Madison, WI; Anne Elizabeth of Stevens Point, WI; and Patricia Carol of Brodhead, WI. In addition to her daughters, she is survived by Anne’s husband, John Todd Faulks and their children: John Jeremy (Lori); Carrie Anne (Errol) Schwartz; Rebecca Jane (JJ) Ziegler; Katelyn Marie (partner, Noah Hummel-Hall); and Alison Joan; and Tricia’s husband, Todd Hoesly and their children Jacob Christopher and Paige Catherine. Joan was proud to be the great-grandmother of: Gavin and Graham Faulks; Joaquin Schwartz and newly-born Judah Ziegler. She is further survived by her niece, Elizabeth (Michael) Zimmerman; and nephews: John (Kathy) Huegel; Christopher Huegel, and their families in Milwaukee; and “the Boston family”: sister-in-law Joanne Miles; and nieces: Kathy Frattasio and Peggy Dickinson; nephews: John Miles and Scott Miles, and their families.  Joan was also a loving stepmother to Larry’s children: Alan (Julie) Faber; Dawn (Ron Rose) Wallace; Michael (Kim) Cianciola; Tracy (Tom) Christenson, and their children. Joan’s older sister, Barbara Borchardt; younger brother, William Miles; nephew, William Huegel; and infant grandson, Steven Michael Faulks, also preceded her in death.

Joan’s primary vocation was being a wonderful wife and mom. She passed on to us her love of reading, singing, nature (especially birds), and the importance of a full cookie jar in the kitchen. From her, we learned patience, self-reliance, kindness, and the power of a smile. She taught us to swim, sew, cook, garden, drive a car, and to take care of our pets, and supported our myriad interests from childhood onward. She herself enjoyed golfing, swimming, playing cards with friends, travelling, and rooting for the Brewers. She was a loyal church choir member at both Fox Point Lutheran and Christ Church in Mequon. Professionally, Joan worked at Northwestern Mutual before her marriage, and served as an Administrative Assistant to Alice Sedgewick at the F.L. Weyenberg Library in Thiensville for 25 years. She was a part of numerous social and charitable organizations in the North Shore and in Mequon, including the North Shore Bookworms, Milwaukee Area Charitable Healthcare Auxilliary (MACHA), and PTAs in Mequon-Thiensville Schools.

Please join us at a service in celebration of Joan’s life, followed by a visitation and reception, on Monday, August 12, 11:00am, at Fox Point Lutheran Church, 7510 N. Santa Monica Blvd, Fox Point, WI. A private inurnment service will be held at Wisconsin Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts would be gratefully received by Fox Point Lutheran Church for the Fine Arts Fund.