Joanna Harley

Joana Harley, age 88 of Shelby Township passed away June 29, 2023. Loving mother of Robynn, Lori, the late Jennifer Latimer and Kelly (Tim), cherished grandmother of Lindsey (Anthony), Stefanie (Thomas), Heather (Will), Jeremy (Lindsey), Jason, and Jessica (Brad), great grandmother of Noah, Lucy, Clara, Dawson, Sawyer, Oliver, Nora, Annabelle, Adalynn, Patrick, Henry and Warren, mother in law of Douglas (Karen) Latimer.
Our mom was a beautiful soul who shined bright in all she did throughout her life. Her love for her family was immeasurable. Moms' best friend and spiritual guide, God, took her hand on June 29th walking with her to her rose garden glistening with blooming pink roses that started from a tiny bud growing into the most incredible, brilliant, inspirational perfect rose. Greeting her lovingly with open arms was her family in heaven along with her animal friends, celebrating her arrival.
She went by many names from her daughters, to her grandchildren, to her great grandchildren. Mom, Mimi, Cookie Grandma, Great and Grandma, each name so special and unique; Mimi came to be through Kelly who had lost our moms daughter (Jennifer) that was Kelly's mother. Mimi bloomed from her starting as her grandma and becoming her mom. "Cookie Grandma" began with Lindsey through a doll she had received from her grandma that was holding a cookie in her hand. She loved this doll so much calling it "Cookie". The name began and forever carried on with many grandchildren. Little Clara called her "Great" as she visited both her "Grammer" (Robynn) and our mom together. She was grandma to all the rest who will forever cherish her.
Through her walk of life everywhere she went she left her footprint in their heart. The messaged received was that she was one of a kind. By her hardships and challenges lessons were learned, taught and passed down to her loved ones. Through all this she persevered with her wisdom, strength, kindness, compassion and love. For those who encountered this beautiful spirit she always took time for a warm hug and a listening ear. No matter her heartbreak, she always remained positive. This is the legacy she has imprinted in her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren's heart.
There really are no words that describe our moms' accomplishments in life.
She was a caregiver to her daughter Jennifer who passed away sadly @ 37 years old of Multiple Sclerosis.
Interior Decorator
Event planner which included beautiful birthday parties, holiday celebrations, our weddings and numerous neighborhood adventures in our growing up years.
Through her heritage she was given imaginative, inventive nature, entrepreneurial inspiration which bloomed into many businesses through these qualities.
Chaos to Comfort was started through her organizational abilities
With her creative talents, a crafting business was developed with her daughter Robynn
Through her mom (Thelma Harley) she passed on her sewing talents to her daughter Lori
Beginning at the age of 12 years old, knowing the difficulties of family caring for their loved ones and the large expenses involved she was driven through her spiritual journey with God to begin "Caring Company". Caring company meant everything to her, in her life of caretaking as well as her desire to create a business that her daughters and family could carry on using the many talents she had passed through her life legacy. She was in her 60's and spent hours, days and nights researching and putting a business plan together not knowing anything about computers. The plan produced and represented our mom through the "Sunflower" which signifies happiness, sunshine and always finding the light in every situation as she believed with her strong faith. Countless families received the loving touch of our mom and even after she no longer could run her business her travels and those she would run into always greeted her with a hug and such gratitude for what she had brought to each of their lives.
All she accomplished, all she loved, she will be forever missed she will walk beside us and her heart will be carried with each of us always. As a family she touched us in ways we cannot begin to describe.
Memorials may be made to the family, please make checks payable to Robynn Mawle, and can be mailed to
Potere-Modetz Funeral Home
339 Walnut Blvd,
Rochester, MI 48307
or
Flowers would be appreciated.