Joanne M. Gill

Joanne graduated from Bay View High School. Juggling motherhood and school, she attended UWM to pursue a career in special education with minors in philosophy and psychology. She worked at AT&T as a service rep for over 10 years before retirement. Joanne was a lifelong learner and always enjoyed a challenge, be it at work or working on a cause she believed in. Spirituality and faith were an important part of her life. She valued the sense of community, formed many lifelong close friendships, and was involved in many ways at St. Frederick’s (Cudahy) and Our Lady of Lourdes (Milwaukee). Joanne’s involvement with the Sheridan Players, Cudahy’s community theater group, forged a love of plays that was passed on to the family. Active would describe Joanne’s lifestyle in all ways.

In Joanne’s life story she wrote “relationships are one of my highest priorities”. Anyone who knew her knows this was the essence of Joanne. Connection with people filled her with love and joy. She always asked about what was going on in the life of anyone she conversed with. Joanne had special bonds with her Cudahy Club friends, her Wednesday Faith Group, her Book Club, and with so many others she had met along her journey. 

Joanne is now reunited with the love of her life, Tom. They were childhood friends and started dating in 9th grade. They married when Joanne was 20 and supported each other through almost 50 years of marriage, celebrated their children and embraced each addition as the family grew. Joanne treasured their travels around the world together.

Joanne wholeheartedly loved and was so proud of each member of her Gill clan! She will be forever missed and loved by her children Deb (Dave) Gill-Dorgan, Tom (Sue) Gill, Liz (Robert) Sweet, Dan (Judy) Gill and Steve Gill. 

Her endless caring, thoughtfulness and generosity will live on in the hearts of her grandchildren, and their significant others – Shane Dorgan, Bret (Mandy Page) Dorgan, Kelsey (Cameron) Patterson; Jake (Pui) Gill, Emily (Max Alexander) Gill; Aaron Sweet, Alex (Mary) Sweet, Leah (Jared Borislow) Sweet; Natalie (Rob) Bjerregaard, Evan Gill and Noah Gill.

GG/GGma’s energy and love will be missed by her great-grandchildren Cloey Dorgan, Liliana and Deckard Gill and Callen Patterson. 

Joanne will also be missed by her sister Annette Flanagan, many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. 

The Celebration of Joanne’s life will be on Monday March 7, 2022. Visitation is from 9 am until time of the funeral service at 11 am at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 3722 S. 58th St., Milwaukee. Per Joanne’s request, no flowers please - caring thoughts welcome. 

The funeral service at 11 am can be viewed via livestream at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvG9UtE7M0oFr5acNh4szLw