Joanne Karen Romanowski

Joanne Karen Romanowski, 70, of Traverse City passed away surrounded by her loving family on April 12, 2023. Joanne was born on August 1, 1952, in Detroit, MI to the late Joseph and Rita (Makowski) Chmura. She married the late Alfred Romanowski Jr., on June 21, 1974. Joanne worked for Kmart for many years and proudly made her way up the corporate ladder, ending her career in the department of Human Resources. After her retirement in Traverse City, she worked at the Goodwill Inn, fulfilling her desire to serve and help others. Joanne was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend who valued time with loved ones above all. She made everyone she met feel like the most important person in the room and was known for remembering the smallest details shared with her. She treated her nieces, nephews, and friends of her children like they were her own and was always ready to care for them and share a hug. Joanne enjoyed crocheting, reading, baking, visiting the beach, and twirling the hair of whomever she was sitting next to. Celebrations will not be the same without the addition of cookies baked with grandkids, apple pies, Swedish meatballs, and Bomb Pops. Memories of her dancing on the table to Elvis, her holiday outfits and coordinating headbands, and the fun games and activities she planned for gatherings, so everyone interacted, will be cherished. Joanne will be missed by all those who knew and loved her, and she will be remembered for her kind heart, caring ways, empathy, selflessness, inclusiveness, and ability to make each day special. Joanne is survived by her two children, Christie (Brent) Smith and Alan (Jamie) Romanowski, her sisters, Frances (Gregory) Russell, and Kathy (Timothy) Skwierc, and brother-in-law Richard Romanowski. She will also be lovingly remembered by her four cherished grandchildren: Mason, Elliot, Henry, and Maxwell. Also surviving Joanne are many nieces, nephews, and dear friends. Joanne is preceded in death by her parents and her beloved husband Alfred. A Celebration of Life to be held in the Detroit area will be announced at a later date. Please feel free to share your thoughts and memories with Joanne’s family at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com. Her family is being cared for by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

Joanne Karen Romanowski

August 1, 1952 - April 12, 2023