Joanne Marlowe (Meerman) Holland passed away peacefully on June 24, 2024 surrounded by her family. Born 9-4-1934 to Matthew and Lorine Meerman in Detroit, MI, Joanne grew up alongside her younger siblings, Diane and Floyd.
Her first journey into adulthood, she defied her father, falsified her age on her resume, and started working at the age of 17 as a key punch operator. Her father brought her home so she found another way out by falling in love and marrying the future father of her children, Armour Knight. Together, they raised Teresa, Roxanne, and Brian. The marriage with Armour dissolved, but Joanne was blessed to find her true love later in life, Jeff Holland. They were the couple everyone wanted to be; complete with sweet notes, mutual respect, and love in every look.
Joanne held a myriad of jobs that always showcased her willingness to work hard, use her math skills, and flex her entrepreneurial spirit. She was a farm hand, a professional cake decorator (who once delivered a wedding cake in a blizzard via farm tractor), bookkeeper, and a professional crafter selling spin-art, hand painted clothing, and clocks.
But work was not her first love, family and community always came first. Having faced many challenges in life, she felt best when bringing others joy. She was known for her exceptional baked goods, earning the moniker of “the cookie lady.” She would dote on her grandchildren and her beloved pomeranians. Among her larger kindnesses was gifting her home to long-term renters and gifting a vehicle to a single father. She spent most of her life living in Texas to get away from “the white stuff”, but after moving back to Michigan to be near family she embraced the community and volunteered at places like the Historical Center and the Bonifas Fine Arts Center.
All who knew Joanne could agree on the following words to describe her: strong, feisty, stubborn, kind, generous, loving, and – perhaps most fitting – vibrant.
Joanne was preceded in death by: Matthew Meerman – father, Lorine (Lowe) Meerman – mother, Diane (Meerman) Gauthier – sister; Jeff Holland – husband; Jack Risser – son-in-law, Todd Lozowski – grandson
Joanne is survived by: Floyd Meerman – brother, Teresa (Dane) Ross – daughter, Roxanne (Michael) O’Conner – daughter, Brian (Linda) Knight – son, Geneva Holland – daughter. Grandchildren: Jessica (Jeremy) LaMarch, Amy (Jennifer) Schwarz, Suzie (Larry) Brannam, Krystal Livingston, Samantha Knight, Lauren (Phillip) Kuentz, Angela (Brendan) Lane, Robert (Michelle) MacDonald.
Great-Grandchildren: Blake, Devyn, Violet, Bruce, Cheyenne, Noah, Tyler, Taylor, Kriston, and Anthoni.
Precious Furry Child: Samson
The family wishes to thank Bishop Noa Home for their kind care of Joanne. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your local animal shelter and smile when you think of Joanne as she is dancing with Jesus in heaven.