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McGill, Joanne Thomas
Joanne Thomas McGill, 84, of West Branch, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2013, under the loving care of the Crestview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center staff, Iowa City Hospice, and her family. A celebration for family and friends will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15, at Governor's Ridge, 515 Kirkwood Ave., Iowa City, in The Kirkwood Room.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Joanne Thomas McGill Memorial Fund to be used to fulfill her lifelong love of educating children in the sciences.
Born at home in Kalamazoo, Mich., on Dec. 17, 1928, Joanne was the daughter of Earle and Kathryn (MacGregor) Thomas. After graduating from Galesburg High School in Galesburg, Mich., she attended Western Michigan University. Joanne met Wallace K. McGill while on a debate trip between their two schools and love at first sight, they married in 1950.
Joanne was a lifelong educator, teaching at various schools for over 30 years, until returning back to school herself in 1985 to earn her Master of Arts in education. Retirement found Joanne and Wally in Green Valley, Ariz., where she enjoyed becoming a Stephen Minister with the Green Valley Presbyterian Church, a member of the Lady Elks, and a synchronized swimmer with the Aquabelles.
Poor health brought Joanne to West Branch, Iowa in 2005 where she could be closer to family. Upon arriving, she asked to go out to dinner once a week, and thus began our tradition of Thursday night dinners at the Olive Garden in Coralville. Eight years later, the family extends a special thank you to Carrie, Amy, and the rest of the Olive Garden staff. Thursday evenings will never be the same.
Survivors include brother, James Thomas (Jan) of Bourbonnais, Ill.; son, John McGill (special friend Marlene) of East Glacier Park, Mont.; daughter, Kathryn McGill-Patience (Wayne) of Iowa City; grandchildren, Ben Patience (Jess) of Iowa City and Marc Patience (Brenda) of Bryan, Texas; niece, Mary Angela; and nephews, Mike, Marc, Jeff, Andy, Jim and Brian.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Wally; sister-in-law, Venita Thomas; and nephew, Jay Thomas.
Online condolences may be directed to .
Published Aug. 12, 2013 in The Gazette
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