Joanne M. Mather

Joanne Marie Mather, age 86, of Royal Oak, passed away at her residence on September 9, 2025. She was born on November 4, 1938, to the late Raymond and Ivadel Pinsch Fitzl. A graduate of Lincoln High School in Ferndale, Joanne married Thomas Mather, on August 24, 1957, in Ferndale. They made their home in Ferndale before moving to Royal Oak in 1980. Together, they shared an adventuresome life filled with love, family, and travel until Tom's passing on October 22, 2011. Joanne worked as a secretary at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Ferndale and generously gave her time as a volunteer at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak. She also served as a Cub Scout den mother and a second mother to many friends of her children who were regular visitors to their home. Joanne was the stabilizing influence in the family and always a reliable source of love and compassion. She was an avid gardener who took great pride in her yard and was honored with the Royal Oak Beautification Award. She and Tom traveled extensively, enjoying trips to Paris, California, England, Alaska, Hawaii, and nearly every state. She was also a proud supporter of Gilda's Club having survived a scare with breast cancer. In later years, she cherished the time spent with her grandchildren and great grandchildren always looking forward to their next visit or trip to their homes. She was known for packing her bags weeks ahead of time in anticipation of the next adventure. She made a new friend in Bob Redman after meeting at a high school reunion in 2022. They became co-conspirators in a second-chapter relationship enjoying laughter, travel, and reminiscing of times past. She maintained a close relationship with her childhood friend Jean Wolters who was a source of laughter, love, and comfort during good times and bad times. She will be dearly missed by all who loved her… until we meet again. Joanne was the beloved wife of the late Thomas Mather; loving mother of Kevin (Sue) Mather, Jeff (Sandy) Mather, and Ann-Marie Mather; and dear sister of the late Lavonne Logan. She was a proud grandmother of Erin (Dan), Katy (Chris), Sean (Stephanie), Ryan (Sarah), Ian (Katie), Lyndsey, Lauren, Emily (Andre), and Marek; and a cherished great-grandmother of Daisy, Travis, Hudson, Magnolia, Zoe, Ezra, Wesley, Waylon, Elijah, Solana, and the late Jameson. Visitation will be held Saturday, September 20, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 12:00 noon at Wm. Sullivan & Son Funeral Home, 705 W. 11 Mile Rd. (4 blocks east of Woodward), Royal Oak. Burial will take place at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Southfield. Memorial contributions in Joanne's memory may be made to Gilda's Club. Share your memories at www.sullivanfuneraldirectors.com.