Joanne F. Sullivan

IRONWOOD, Mich. - Joanne F. Sullivan, 82, of Montreal, Wis., died peacefully Wednesday, April 30, 2014, at Aspirus Grand View Hospital in Ironwood, with her son by her side.

The former Joanne Kopacz was born Sept. 21, 1931, in Ironwood, daughter of the late Joseph and Frances (Keskey) Kopacz, attended Hurley, Wis., schools, and graduated from J.E. Murphy High School in 1949. She attended Superior State Teachers College in Superior, Wis., for two years, then moved to Milwaukee, where she worked as a telephone operator for the Wisconsin Telephone Co. for two years.

On May 27, 1952, Joanne was married to John M. Sullivan at St. James Catholic Church in Orlando, Fla. They lived in Orlando for three years, prior to moving to Gile, Wis., residing there for three years. Moving back to Milwaukee, Joanne was employed as a telephone operator at the Allen-Bradley Co. for 27 years, retiring in 1989 and moving to Montreal. John preceded her in death on Feb. 19, 1993.

Joanne was a current member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hurley and former member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Montreal and its Altar Society. She also was a member of the Red Hat Society and Iron County Senior Citizens. She loved to travel, and especially enjoyed following her children in all of their sports and drum and bugle corps events. She was also a big Green Bay Packers fan and was a Milwaukee season ticket holder.

Surviving are five sons, John, Patrick (Sandy), and James (Julie), all of Milwaukee, Robert, Montreal, and Mark (Lynn), West Allis; two daughters, Rita (Steve) Tischer, Milwaukee, and Cynthia Collins, West Allis; 10 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; a brother, Edward Erickson, Providence Forge, Va .; son-in-law, David Poker, Franklin; brother-in-law, James (Jolynn) Sullivan, Phoenix, Ariz .; sisters-in-law, Helene Kopacz, Richmond, Va., and Rita Sullivan, Chicago; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Besides her parents and husband, Joanne was preceded in death by a son, Michael, Oct. 11, 2011; daughter, Mary Poker, April 2, 1995; and brother, Joseph Kopacz.

Honoring her wishes, cremation has taken place.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, May 5, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10 a.m., at St. Mary's Church in Hurley, with the Rev. Frank Kordek OFM, celebrant.

Luncheon will follow at the Liberty Bell Chalet in downtown Hurley.

Rite of Committal and interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Hurley, at a later date.

Joanne's obituary can be viewed online and condolences given to her family at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood. 

The family would like to express a heartfelt thank you to the entire staff at Sky View Nursing Center in Hurley for their kindness, warmth and excellent care given to Joanne over the past 14 months.