Joanne Mae Bricco

Joanne M Bricco 

January 29, 1932-June 7, 2024

Our beloved mother and grandmother, Joanne Mae Bricco, passed away peacefully on June 7, 2024 after courageously living with Alzheimer’s for more than 15 years. She was a delightful, hard-working, loyal, and ever classy sweetheart, and we will be forever grateful to love her and have been loved by her. 

Joanne and Bill exchanged vows in 1952 in White Lake and were married for 55 years until Bill’s death in 2007. They had four children, Andy, Robin, Cheri, and Neil. Joanne loved and cared for her children deeply until her death. Joanne and Bill’s work brought them to other places but the north woods was home and became the backdrop to many cherished moments throughout their lives, including their retirement. Joanne loved the activities of the north woods: cross-country skiing with girlfriends, lake swims, family camping trips, fishing with Bill, and summer evenings spent together on the porch marveling at the backyard birds and enjoying their garden. 

Joanne thrived on activity and found fulfillment in her roles at Appleton Memorial Hospital’s pharmacy and as a benefits administrator at Tecumseh Motors in New Holstein. In her later years, she discovered a passion for painting, capturing the beauty of nature in her artwork, and collaborating with Bill and his woodworking skills to make one of a kind creations together. She found great comfort in her lifelong Catholic faith which guided her through life's challenges. She and Bill formed deep and lasting friendships through their church involvement.

Ever adventurous and outgoing, Joanne embraced new experiences throughout her life. She had a remarkable ability to make the best of all situations. Known for her kind and welcoming spirit, she had an innate ability to lift up those around her, to help others, and to make new friends, even in the final months of her life. 

In 1987, the family faced a profound loss with the passing of Joanne and Bill’s daughter, Robin, prompting them to dedicate themselves to grandparenthood with unparalleled devotion. Affectionately known as JoJo, she cherished each of her grandchildren— Katie and Charlie, Arlie, Niko, Anna and Doug, Florence, Linus, Emma and Javier, Nick and Kristina, Cora, Henry, Lindsay, Justin, Angie, Forrest, Wren, Travis and Amanda, Morgan, and Wyatt. Memories of rides in the back of the pickup truck on camping trips and en route to swimming adventures at Boulder Lake, live in the hearts of her grandchildren. JoJo made every effort to make her grandchildren’s visits up north special.

Despite the heartache of losing her children, Robin and Andy, Mom's unwavering love endured. She never stopped missing and loving them. Her daughter, Cheri, became her constant companion and caregiver for the last fifteen years. Cheri, along with her husband Paul, and daughters, Katie, Anna and Emma, and their families, took Joanne on many adventures giving her a full life of joy, togetherness, and dignity.

JoJo, thank you for never saying “no” to us, for showing us what full-hearted love looks like, for taking care of us in so many ways, and for always joining in the fun. We love you. 

The family would like to express heartfelt thanks to the kind and loving staff at the Renaissance in Appleton. They treated Joanne like family and showed us immense kindness during our difficult goodbye. We would also like to thank the many friends and neighbors Joanne had at the Renaissance for their friendship and care.

Heart of the Valley Cremation Service, www.hovcremations.com is serving the family.