Obituary
Joann Froyd Bartholomew, 97, passed away while surrounded by family at home on October 27, 2021. Born to Ernest and Josephine (Wade) Froyd in Paxton, Illinois on March 30, 1924, Joann later moved to Muncie, Indiana where she met her high school sweetheart and love of her life, Robert Harrison “Bob” Bartholomew. The two married in 1944 and eventually settled in Bexley, Ohio to raise a family. There, Joann enjoyed the three things in life she said she always wanted: Venetian blinds, corn on the cob and babies. Joann loved her family and delighted in her changing monikers over the years, graduating from Mom to Grandma and, finally, to Bebe and Grammy B when her great-grandchildren came along. She never passed up an opportunity to play a game (particularly her favorite card game, Spite and Malice) and always had a smile, hug or kiss at the ready; she was seldom in a bad mood, especially if there were children nearby. When she wasn’t spending time with family, Joann enjoyed vacations at the family cottage in Bay View, Michigan and Bonita Beach Club in Bonita Springs, Florida, before officially becoming a snowbird in 1977. Throughout that time, she and Bob made and maintained many close friendships in each city they called home. Joann lived in Tavares, Florida for the last 10 years of her life with her daughter, Carol. The two shared much love and laughter during that time and Carol was grateful for the gift of caring for her mother until she passed.
Preceded in death by her husband, Bob, of 60 years and her son, Robert “Bobby” Jr., Joann is survived by her two daughters, Barbara (David) Murphy and Carol (Bryan) Allaby; five grandchildren, Matt (Melissa) Murphy, Brandon (Stacy) Murphy, Brittain (Kevin) Kulow, Amy (Chris) Carroll and Ashley (Charlie) Jacobs; and 12 great-grandchildren, Annika, Keely and Kenna Murphy; Ian and Riley Murphy; Jacob, Colton and Kathryn Kulow; Daniel, Jeremiah and Rachel Carroll; and Lucy Jacobs. Joann’s family is so thankful to both Hospice and Compassionate Care for their love and assistance over the past two years. A gathering of family and friends will take place at a later date to celebrate Joann’s life and lay her to rest alongside her husband at the Bay View Memorial Garden in Bay View, Michigan. The humor, laughs and fun times will ALWAYS be remembered. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in Joann’s name.
Leave a reply