As received from the Reid Funeral Service and Chapel. If you have questions about, or potential corrections to the content, please contact the funeral home directly.
Joanne Patricia Hill, 91 of L’Anse, Michigan passed away peacefully on March 15, 2026 at home in the presence of her daughters Jean and Gloria. Born in L’Anse, Michigan on November 7, 1934, Joanne grew up in L’Anse with her parents Gloria and Bud Watters, six sisters and one brother. Joanne graduated from L’Anse High School in 1953, pursued a music career in Minneapolis, married the love of her life Karl in 1959 and devoted her life to building a family of 8 children. Joanne was the consummate mother to many beyond her biological children and was passionate about the protection and care of the vulnerable and needy.
Joanne was a lover of music and singing and in her youth sang as a soloist and with her sisters on various occasions. She later went on to produce a CD of religious songs entitled Pacem”, meaning peace in Latin.
Joanne found deep meaning and purpose in attending and participating in catholic church services and possessed a loyal and persistent love for Jesus Christ.
Since 1968, Joanne was a friend of Bill W. and an unwavering pillar in the local recovery community, walking with countless individuals through the darkness into the light of recovery.
She is survived by siblings Bridgette LaBerge and Joseph Watters and children: Vita (Roy) Britz, Jean Hill, Gloria Hill (Gary Maki), Karl (Mary) Hill, Virginia Gruici, Thomas (Maria) Hill, Mary Hill Stafford and Kristen Hill, grandchildren; Robert, Jeremy, Joshua, Ryan, Chelsea, Garrett, Jake, Ava, Gianna, Vita, Alena, Brialle, Alexa and numerous nieces, nephews and great grandchildren.
Joanne is preceded in death by her parents, Gloria and Bud Watters, husband Karl Hill, sisters, Jean Westrom, Gloria Longman, Mary Kissel, Virginia Menard and Suzanne Tollefson, as well as brothers-in-law, James Westrom, Duke LaBerge, Ronald Kissel, James Tollefson and Larry Menard. We suspect Joanne is celebrating with them all now.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12 p.m., Thursday, March 19, 2026 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Ben Rivard, Celebrant. The family will receive friends at the church on Thursday from 11 a.m. until the time of Mass. A luncheon will be held in the church hall following Mass.
Spring interment will take place in the L’Anse Evergreen Cemetery.
Joanne’s obituary may also be viewed and condolences sent to the family at www.reidfunealservicechapel.com
The Reid Funeral Service and Chapel, L’Anse has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.
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