Joanna S. Coultes

She was the matriarch of her family in every sense of the word. She adored her children and grandchildren to her core and had great love for her pets throughout her life. Joanna was a woman of many talents. Whether it was artfully piecing together stained-glass masterpieces, knitting hats, sweaters, gloves, her love for English floral gardens, or her plentiful vegetable gardens, she poured her personality into it all. Her passion for downhill skiing was evident as she spent 43 years as a National Ski Patrol. Joanna and her husband of 62 years spent many vacations traveling the world making many lifelong friends along the way. Joanna attended Michigan State University where she obtained her master’s degree in teaching. She started and ended her teaching career of over 30 years at Alpena High School where she taught office skills, typing, and the lost art of shorthand writing, which she creatively used to write Christmas lists in to keep them secret. It was at MSU where she met Jim and would eventually marry on December 19, 1959.

Joanna is survived by her daughter Jill Wallis of Gilbert, Arizona, son Jay (Christine) Coultes of Alpena, granddaughters, Ally (Marco) Wieser, Abby (Theron) Tracey, also of Alpena, 6 great-grandchildren, Leo and Luca Wieser, Molly, Maggie, Roland, and Monroe Tracey, and her brother Ronald Hileman of Colorado.

She was preceded in death by her husband Jim in 2021. Joanna was blessed at the end of her life to be surrounded by family and the incredible staff at the Besser Senior Living facility in Alpena. Their love and compassion for Joanna was top notch and will be remembered by her family forever. Joanna’s family has chosen to celebrate her life privately.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Besser Senior Living in care of the Joanna Coultes Resident Transportation Fund created in her honor, at 325 Johnson Street, Alpena, MI 49707. Call Besser Senior Living at 989-884-9787.

Joanna Coultes' shorthand

McWilliams Funeral Home has assisted the family.