JoAnn M. Mallory

JoAnn was born in Hibbing, Minn., on Aug. 5, 1939, a daughter of the late Agnes (Sorci) and Robert Edward Frank. She was a graduate of the Hibbing High School, Class of 1957, and married Earl Mallory on May 3, 1958. Together they moved to Ishpeming, with JoAnn working first in the bakery at Joseph’s Grocery Store, then at Al’s Party Store and most notably as a catalog clerk in the Ishpeming Sears Store for many years. JoAnn also worked as a teacher’s aide in the Ishpeming School District, along with patrolling the playground, where she was affectionately known as “Gramma.”

JoAnn was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, where she sang in the choir for many years. She and Earl were members of the Retread Motorcycle Club and enjoyed traveling via motorcycle throughout the continental United States. JoAnn will be remembered as an outstanding Italian cook with some of her specialties being ravioli, porketta, patica and biscotti. She lived by the motto “Food is Love,” and was always prepared to feed the entire neighborhood. Some of her other hobbies included knitting, gardening, canning and oil painting.

Survivors include her husband, Earl E. Mallory, daughter, MaryJo (Ed) Chaperon, son, Mark (Jena) Mallory all of Iron Mountain; sister, Barbara Jean of Hibbing; five grandchildren, Amy (Jon) Cvengros, Edward (Rebecca) Chaperon, Kate (Michael) Pearson, Jacob (fiancee Chloe Woodward) Mallory and Emmett Mallory; along with seven great-grandchildren, Hallie, Isabelle, Eddie, Jack, Nora, Pearl and Forest.

The family will greet relatives and friends from 10 a.m. to noon Eastern time on Friday, Feb. 9 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Ishpeming.

A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at noon, with Fr. Ryan Ford to officiate. The Mass will be livestreamed at ishpemingcatholic.com/live. A luncheon will follow the Mass in the K/D Hall.

JoAnn’s obituary may also be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com, where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.