Joyce M. Chiri
Negaunee
Joyce M. Chiri, 96, of Croix St., Negaunee, passed away peacefully at 3:45 pm on Sunday, October 19, 2014 at the Marquette County Medical Care Facility under the care of U.P. Home Health and Hospice.
Joyce was born October 9, 1918 in Marquette to Charles and Cora (Barshaw) Cleary, the youngest of the two girls. She graduated from Bishop Baraga High School, Class of 1936 and then attended Mercy College of Nursing in Detroit for 2 years and St. Joseph in Ann Arbor, earning a Registered Nursing Degree. Joyce worked in Adrian, MI, but with her mother being sick during war time, she returned to Marquette and was employed at St. Mary’s for 13 years. She then worked at the Twin Cities Medical Clinic in Negaunee for 24 years, retiring in 1979.
Joyce met Dominic Chiri and they married February 16, 1946 at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Marquette. They began building their home on Croix St. in Negaunee in early 1953, spending many late nights after work doing the work themselves. They moved in on December 17, 1954 and enjoyed their new home entertaining friends and family.
During their life together, Joyce and Dominic took many trips around the world, including Italy, Hawaii, Yellowstone, Florida, New York, seeing Niagara Falls and Lake Placid. They enjoyed life together until Dominic became ill and finally went to his rest on Oct. 8, 2000.
Mrs. Chiri was a devout member of St. Paul Catholic Church, Negaunee. She belonged to the Paisano Club, was a member of the Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree Ladies Auxiliary, was a former member of the Lady Druids, and was very active in volunteering at the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans. In her free time she enjoyed reading, knitting, crocheting, going dancing with her husband, and fishing in her younger years.
She is survived by several nieces and nephews. Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a sister, Corinne LaBlue; and 3 brothers: Fred, Edward and William Cleary.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Friday, May 29th at St. Paul Catholic Church in Negaunee with Monsignor Peter Oberto officiating. Interment will be in the Negaunee Cemetery. The family will greet relatives and friends from 10:00 am until the time of Mass at 11:00 am at the church on Friday, and also at a luncheon immediately following services at the St. Paul Gymnasium. Memorial contributions may be directed to the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Vets Activity Fund or the Salvation Army in Joyce’s memory.
The family would like to give a special thank you to Judy Webb, Bill and Theresa Carter, Dan Webb, and the staff at both the Marquette Co. Medical Care Facility and U.P. Home Health and Hospice for the compassionate care provided over the years.
Mrs. Chiri’s memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com, where memories and condolences may be shared.

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