Life Celebration for Joanna Courteau
Saturday, October 22, at 11:00 a.m.
In-person: First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ann Arbor
4001 Ann Arbor–Saline Rd
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Livestream available: see uuaa.org for details.
After pandemic delays, we will gather in person to celebrate the life of Joanna Courteau (1939–2020), long-time political and community activist, Moth storyteller, and retired professor of Spanish and Portuguese (Iowa State University, University of Arkansas, and Sullins College).
The celebration will include time for sharing stories and memories. Food will be provided afterward.
A full obituary appeared in MLive.com at the time of her death in July 2020.
Joanna was a world traveler and encouraged others in their travels. Friends sent her postcards from around the world, which she posted across her kitchen and dining room walls, creating a mosaic across the wood paneling. Messages ranged from simple greetings and mini-travelogues to brief but profound paragraphs. We invite you to bring your own postcard to share a memory or message. If you don’t have a postcard handy, we will have a selection to choose from, along with supplies to make your own.
As Mom wrote in a note some years ago, outlining her wishes:
“Throw a big bash … and tell my friends I will miss them but I do want them to have a good time.”
The family hopes you can join us in this celebratory bon voyage.
