Obituary for JOYCE ANN SMITH (FRANSON)
Joyce Smith
Negaunee Township
Joyce Ann Smith, 78, of Midway Dr., Negaunee Township, passed away peacefully early Sunday morning, April 24, 2022 at Norlite Nursing Center following a long battle with cancer.
Joyce was born April 19, 1944 in Ishpeming to Stanley and Loretta (Andrew) Franson and graduated from Ishpeming High School, Class of 1962. She continued her education at Northern Michigan University, earning her Bachelor’s degree and teaching certification. Joyce taught elementary grades in Marquette Area Public Schools for 30 years, receiving awards for Kiwanis Teacher of the Year, as a finalist for MAPS teacher of the year and was awarded an excellence award for diversity in selecting library material. She was very active in the Marquette Area Education Association as President, and delegate to the National Education Association.
Along with her husband, Allen, she continued to teach children after her retirement about rocks and minerals and the history of local mining through the education committees of the Ishpeming Rock and Mineral Club and the Cliffs Shaft Mining Museum.
Surviving are her husband of 57 years, Allen Smith; son, Erik (Pamela) and their children, Kaylee and Austin; all of Livermore, CA; sister, Janice (Steven) Lahti of Negaunee; brother, William (Judy) Franson of Jacksonville, FL; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her sister, Judy Brown, and brother, Stanley Franson.
Honoring Joyce’s wishes, no public services will be held. Memorial contributions may be directed in her memory to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, the American Cancer Society, or Autism Speaks.
Joyce’s memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com.
Negaunee Township
Joyce Ann Smith, 78, of Midway Dr., Negaunee Township, passed away peacefully early Sunday morning, April 24, 2022 at Norlite Nursing Center following a long battle with cancer.
Joyce was born April 19, 1944 in Ishpeming to Stanley and Loretta (Andrew) Franson and graduated from Ishpeming High School, Class of 1962. She continued her education at Northern Michigan University, earning her Bachelor’s degree and teaching certification. Joyce taught elementary grades in Marquette Area Public Schools for 30 years, receiving awards for Kiwanis Teacher of the Year, as a finalist for MAPS teacher of the year and was awarded an excellence award for diversity in selecting library material. She was very active in the Marquette Area Education Association as President, and delegate to the National Education Association.
Along with her husband, Allen, she continued to teach children after her retirement about rocks and minerals and the history of local mining through the education committees of the Ishpeming Rock and Mineral Club and the Cliffs Shaft Mining Museum.
Surviving are her husband of 57 years, Allen Smith; son, Erik (Pamela) and their children, Kaylee and Austin; all of Livermore, CA; sister, Janice (Steven) Lahti of Negaunee; brother, William (Judy) Franson of Jacksonville, FL; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her sister, Judy Brown, and brother, Stanley Franson.
Honoring Joyce’s wishes, no public services will be held. Memorial contributions may be directed in her memory to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, the American Cancer Society, or Autism Speaks.
Joyce’s memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com.