Obituary: Patricia Joanne Mandoli

As received from Memorial Chapel Funeral and Cremation Service:

Patricia Joanne Mandoli, affectionately known as Jo-Jo, passed away on September 29th, 2022, at Canal View – Houghton County in Hancock. She had been a resident there since May of 2021. She recently celebrated her 90th birthday.

Jo-Jo was born in Hancock on July 30, 1932, to Bertha (Veldman) and Alidino Mandoli. She was one of five children. Her father died when she was young. Her mother found work to support the family and her mother’s sister Ceal, moved into the home to help. Jo-Jo would tell her children about Christmas in their home, where a decorated tree would be the only gift for the children. Because of that she always made a point of making the Christmas holiday extra special for her children.

Joanne spent most of her life in Hancock and Houghton. She began working at a young age at stores and restaurants in Hancock. Later, she was a cashier at Jim’s Foodmart in Houghton for many years. She then moved to the Suomi Restaurant, where she worked as a baker and cashier until her retirement at the age of 82.

Joanne really enjoyed following sports. She loved the Green Bay Packers. It was impossible to watch a Packer game with her. If they were playing badly or on the verge of winning, she’d get so riled up she would turn off the game! Other than an occasional trip to the casino, her most frequent activity was walking. It wasn’t unusual for her to get in over 12,000 steps a day even in her 80’s

Preceding Joanne in death were her parents, her brothers Robert, James, Nick and her sister MaryLou.

Jo-Jo raised six children; Paula (Tom) Rocco, Robert (Mary Strisar) Heikkinen, Charles Teliin, Thomas Teliin, Trish (Jerry) Joyal, and Sarah (Luke) Kurth. Jo-Jo was devasted by the loss of her daughter, Trish in 2016.

Jo-Jo has 13 grandchildren: Cassandra (John) Mackenzie, Jackie (Nate) Rocco, Hailey Strisar Heikkinen, Louis (Gianna) Heikkinen, Christie Teliin, Brittany Teliin, Amber (Alex) VanDeBunt, Jessica (Taylor) Thomley, Amanda Teliin, Cody Manninen, Steven Joyal, Madison Kurth and Danielle Kurth.

Jo-Jo is also survived by five great grandchildren: Rocco Mackenzie, Desmond Mackenzie, Vienna VanDeBunt, Keaira VanDeBunt, and Lydia Heikkinen.

Jo-Jo was a generous and loving mother and grandmother who always put her family’s needs before her own. She was the first to laugh at herself. She was a fun, easy going person to be around and her wit and sarcasm delighted her family and friends.

Jo-Jo’s children are thankful to the staff at Woodland Haven of Canal View – Houghton County for the love, Kindness and compassion they provided their mother.

A time to remember Jo-Jo will be held Monday October 3, 2022, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Memorial Chapel Funeral Home in Hancock. Burial will be in the Forest Hill Cemetery at a later time.

To view Jo-Jo’s obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit www.memorialchapel.net.

The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service – Hancock Chapel has been assisting the family with arrangements.