Joan Clare Ciccone passed away peacefully early in the morning of September 24th, 2024, after a brief encounter with a very aggressive cancer. She will be terribly missed by her family and friends whose lives she enriched with her enthusiasm, joy and love.
Joan was born February 3rd, 1943 in Taylor, Michigan and raised by mother Rose and her husband Howard Gustafson. She was followed by five brothers with whom she remained close for the rest of her life.
In 1961 she graduated from Holy Redeemer in Detroit. Joan attended Henry Ford Community College and became a dental assistant through on the job training with dentists in Dearborn and Allen Park. She liked to reminisce about fun times in Detroit shopping at Hudson’s and eating Saunder’s hot fudge cream puffs which remained a special treat whenever she ventured back.
On April 16th, 1966 she married Silvio Tony Ciccone who had been widowed with six kids (Anthony, Martin, Madonna, Paula, Christopher and Melanie Ciccone) and had an instant family. They were active in the Catholic Church and community and remained so for the rest of her life. In 1967 she gave birth to Joey Ciccone who had a heart defect and never made it home from the hospital. Jennifer Ciccone was born in 1968 and Mario Ciccone completed the family in 1969. During this time Joan helped Tony build their house in Rochester Hills, moving from the Harrington Hills subdivision in Pontiac which would be developed into the Silverdome property.
With a houseful of kids Joan opened a daycare which she ran for 20+ years. Caring for children and others was a lifelong calling. She also loved fashion and antiques. She was involved in the Quester’s antique group in Rochester Hills, volunteered at Meadowbrook Music Festivals, and had a core group of friends she gathered with often. She enjoyed “zonking” which consisted of extended shopping excursions and socialization with her friends.
In 1995 she moved with Silvio to Suttons Bay, Michigan to develop and operate Ciccone Vineyard and Winery. She did everything from helping to plant the vines to property maintenance, to harvesting. She could often be found mowing the rows 1943 ~ 2024
on her tractor. She also cooked for many of the tasting room events and became instant friends with many of the patrons. She continued her love of fashion by volunteering with the Cherry Festival Queen’s fashion show for many years.
She took special joy in her grandkids later in life and with the grim cancer prognosis lamented that she was sad she would not see them marry and have kids of their own.
She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Silvio Tony Ciccone. Also, by children, Martin Ciccone, Madonna Ciccone, Paula Ciccone, Christopher Ciccone (husband Ray Thacker), Melanie Ciccone (husband Joe Henry), Jennifer Ciccone (husband Chuck Valleau) and Mario Ciccone (wife Laura Ciccone). Siblings, Jerry Gustafson (wife Dorothy), Frank Gustafson, Eddie Gustafson (wife Claudia), Trevor Gustafson, and sister-in-law, Jackie Gustafson. Grandchildren, Adrieannette Ciccone, Levon and Louise Henry, Angelo Lawson-Ciccone-Smith, Lourdes Leon, Rocco Ritchie, David Banda, Mercy James, Estere and Stella Mwale, Silvio, Elio and Gaetano Ciccone, Fulton Valleau, Rhiannon Valleau-Hopkins (husband Dan Hopkins) and their children, Charlie and Elizabeth as well as many nieces, nephews and their children.
She was pre-deceased by her parents, her brother John Gustafson and sons, Joey and Anthony.
Friends are welcome to visit with Joan’s family from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 3, 2024 at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, 305 Sixth St., Traverse City, Michigan 49684. The family will pray the Rosary at 6:30 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00 a.m., with visitation starting at 10:00 a.m., on Friday, October 4, 2024 at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, 403 St. Mary’s Street, Lake Leelanau, Michigan 49653. Rev. Ben Martin will officiate. Rite of Committal will follow in St. Mary Catholic Cemetery. Memorials may be directed in memory of Joan Ciccone to IHM Sisters, 610 West Elm Avenue Monroe, Michigan 48162 or https:// ihmsisters.org/ Please feel free to share your thoughts and memories with Joan’s family at her tribute page at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.
