Obituary of Joan Frances Marzolino

September 1, 1938 – October 30, 2022

Joan Frances Marzolino.  Age 84 of Southgate.

Beloved wife of Ralph Marzolino. Loving mother of Gregory (Beverly) Marzolino, Mark (Yvonne) Marzolino, Karen (Edmund) Laginess, Scott (Dina) Marzolino and Brian (Lisa) Marzolino.  Dearest grandmother of Kelly (Christofer), Dylan (Tiffany), Sarah, Ian (Brandi), Alex (Melanie), Holly (Stuart ), Eddy (Melissa), Amber (Sean), Ryan, Alyssa (Will),  Adrienne (Nathan), Emily, Jack and Claire.  Great grandmother of Laura, Ludvig and Lucy, Scotty, Elnora Joan, James, Thomas, Alexandria, Luke, Steven and Nathan.  Dear sister of William (Jean) Pope, Thomas (Joan) Pope, Nancy (the late Andrew) Cook, Margaret (James) Fieler and the late Kathleen (the late Daniel) Furlong.

Memorial contributions are appreciated to Capuchin Soup Kitchen.

Family Tribute

Joan Frances Pope (Marzolino) was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan.   At a young age her family move to Delray near Detroit, where she attended All Saints High School.    After graduation she went to work at American Standard, where she met her soul mate, Ralph Marzolino.     

Joan was the most beautiful vibrant faith filled woman.  She loved her family,friends, coworkers and neighbors more than life itself.    

She stayed home and raised her 5 children.   The Marzolino yard became the neighborhood ball field.  She not only loved her children, she loved the neighborhood kids and her children’s friends as well.   Many would still stop by and talk with her and her husband Ralph.    

Joan has a very tight knit family.   She loved it when everyone was able to get together and just have fun enjoying each others company sitting around her kitchen table telling stories about the old days.  

Joan had impeccable style and fashion sense.  Always looking her best no matter what the occasion.   She also had an awesome interior design style, never afraid to do something very different.  She was just finishing getting her house the way she wanted it to be.   

At Christmas time, you know you could always go see her gorgeous Christmas tree.    You would have thought it came right from the Ray Hunters store floor display.   She even had a Christmas village that took up her whole living room.   She would invite people into to her home to see it, if they asked.  No one was a stranger.    

Joan went back to work at McCord and BASF in Wyandotte when the children were older.   She loved her work family and remained friends with them.     

Joan also was a greeter at Molnar Funeral Home for several years.  She always knew someone walking through the door.    A matter of fact, she couldn’t go anywhere without running into someone she knew, greeting them with a smile. 

Joan had a wonderful group of lady friends from St. Pius and Aquinas that were very close.   Always helping or supporting each other. 

Joan was always doing for others by making meals, desserts and visiting family, friends, coworkers and neighbors when they were feeling under the weather or hurting.   She could make anyone feel better with her smile.  

The last 7 years, Joan called on her family, friends and neighbors, seeking used clothing and household goods that would be donated to the migrant worker families in Monroe County.  

For 62 years, Joan was a member of St. Pius Church.  She was a Eucharistic Minister and helped out at St. Pius School, while her children attended there, volunteering for lunch mother duties. She also belonged to the St. Pius Altar Confraternity and the Wyandotte American Legion Auxiliary.   A perfect day the last few years was going to the Post, sitting by the Detroit River, relaxing and having lunch with the love of her life, Ralph.   

Joan always had a positive attitude and passed this along to her children.   

She was a wonderful role model and awesome example of living her faith thru Jesus Christ.  

Peacefully, Joan was called to her Heavenly home on Sunday, October 30, 2022.   

She will be truly missed by her family, friends and neighbors and coworkers.   

His Lord said unto him, well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.  Matthew 25:23