Joan Carroll Cyr, 93, of Ironwood, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at the Villa Maria Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Hurley.

Joan was born on June 29, 1932, in St. Paul, Minnesota, to John and Ethel (Leonard) LaClair. She attended St Columba Catholic School and graduated from Wilson High School as an Honor Student. She helped her mother with Foster Child Care and developed a strong compassion for children. Joan spent her childhood summers at the family cottage on Prior Lake. She learned to swim, fish, and handle a boat. She helped at her Aunt Mag’s farm just because she liked to.

At age 17, Joan met the love of her life. She married Paul on August 1, 1950, and they remained together until he passed in July of 2023. They lived in Jessieville until they finished building a home in Ironwood Township, where they have lived since 1959. This home became a small hobby farm with beef, pork, poultry, and Paula’s horse.

Joan was a member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood. She enjoyed sewing, knitting, and all sorts of crafts. Nearly everyone in her family has something knitted or sewn by Grandma Joan. She was an astute partner in card games but also enjoyed solitaire, puzzles, and crosswords. She was an avid reader with shelves upon shelves of paperbacks. She cherished her social clubs: birthday circle, Do-Si-Do square dance, and classic neighborhood coffee clutches where Joan was occasionally caught participating in 3 different conversations at once. She was involved in the Michigan State Extension Club for conservation and gardening, a Cub Scout Den Mother, and a Girl Scout Leader.

Joan kept a large vegetable garden, several flower gardens, and fruit trees in her yard. She also had a multitude of house plants. She was a rockhound, spending hours looking for agates on Lake Superior shores. She also spent many hours fishing Lake Superior out of Oman’s Creek at Little Girl’s Point. Lake trout was nearly always the primary target. She also spent overnight camping trips on the Apostle Islands with her family. Joan loved making memories with family and friends at the cottage on Island Lake in Wisconsin. She made The Best chocolate cake. Joan began working part-time when her children were grown up. She cleaned chalets at Powderhorn and worked many years at H&R Block.

Joan is survived by her sister, Emara White and sons John, Gary and Brian (Ann) Cyr; daughter, Paula (Cyr) Kevin Schluck; grandchildren Marie, Tracy (David), Jenifer, Jody (Brad), Megan (Jay), Jeremy (Alyssa), Derrick (Laura), and Shane (Lynn); great-grandchildren, Jesse, Jack, Elizabeth, Joshua, Benjamin, Ruth, Susannah, Verity, Honoree, Kindred, Caleb, Ava, Camden, Beauden, Watson, Lucy Jo, Soren, Calder, Dakota and Tate; great greatgrandchildren Bria, Ben, Remi, Elias, Althea, Petra and Kyle; as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother John, and her husband Paul.

Joan’s family would like to thank Paula and Avanti Homecare, the staff at Skyview, and Villa Maria for their compassionate care. Thank you to Dr. Sheehan, NP Lisa Polkky, and Nurse & neighbor Bonnie for keeping Joan as comfortable as possible. We would also thank neighbors Carlson, Schmalz, and Maki. You all helped us through a very difficult time.

A Celebration of Life and burial at Sunset Acres will take place this summer.

You lived a full life. You were a wonderful Mother. We all love you very much and pray that the Virgin Mary, her Son, and all the Saints have vouched for you. Rest in Peace.