Joanne Lynn Trame

Joanne Lynn Trame of Canton passed peacefully on May 13, 2022, in the company of her beloved husband, Paul, and their three children. Born in Ann Arbor on February 18, 1943, Joanne (Jody) and her mother, Ruth, were left on their own when Jody’s father, Purple Heart recipient Norm Gingrich, was killed in the Battle of the Bulge. The two became three when Ruth married Robert Dunn, and Jody was thrilled when, at the age of 4, she became the older sister of Michael. Jody and Mike’s relationship really blossomed in their later years during their weekly phone calls—something Jody looked forward to as she knew Mike would always have a fun story to share. Jody met Paul Joseph Trame, Jr. at a dance while she was attending Eastern Michigan University and he, the University of Michigan. Paul asked her to take a “sentimental journey” with him, and she agreed. They officially started their life together on December 27, 1965. Within a year, Jody became a mom with the birth of Michelle. Paul (Joe) and Erin soon rounded out the family. Being a mom is where Jody really excelled. She was a peacemaker and a great listener—very good skills to have when dealing with a Trame, particularly mini ones. She could also be feisty though, especially when defending her children. Jody had a knack for knowing the perfect time to inject a little humor to diffuse a situation. One of her techniques involved flicking a forkful of mashed potatoes at one of her four loves at the dinner table. In addition to working as a preschool teacher, caregiver, and ultimately a 3rd grade teacher at St. Robert Bellarmine School in Redford, Jody always found time to support her children whenever and wherever she could. She attended every soccer game, wrestling match, band concert, and theater performance, continually supporting the various activities in which her children were involved. This included accepting any stray pets that they might bring into the home. Jody loved her pets. As a child, she had a Collie mix, Gypsy, and even, for a short time, a pet monkey named Socky. Gypsy went on Jody and Paul’s “Honeymoon” drive to CT and was joined by Blue, a Blue Merle Collie, within two weeks. From that point on, there was always a pet (or two or three) in the home. Jody could never say no when it came to bringing a new pet into the home—a decision she (mostly) never regretted. While Mom clearly loved her family, she was always ready to add more to the fold. She “adopted” her children’s friends as her own and was delighted by her two Norwegian daughters, Lene and Ingrid. She was especially thrilled when she became a grandma. As proud as she was of her children and their eventual partners: Michelle (Greg), Joe (Rose + her daughter, Kimberly), and Erin (Carrie), this did not come close to the pride she had in her grandchildren: Gabriella, Michael, Katy and Sophie. While Jody/Mom/Crazy Grandma was our sunshine, she thought the sun rose and set on these four. Jody is survived by her brother Michael Dunn, his wife Sally, and their children Ryan and Jordan; her brother-in-law Michael Trame, his wife Linda, and their children Bridget, Michelle, and Janine; her sister-in-law Mary Counihan, her husband Kevin, and their children Ted, Michael, and Andrew; as well as many grandnieces and grandnephews. In addition to her family, the one thing that Mom loved most of all was to curl up with a good book. She was a voracious reader and made sure that we all had library cards early on in life. In honor of Jody, we invite you to go to your nearest Independent Bookstore (or library) and pick up a new-to-you or old favorite and curl up in your favorite spot. We will celebrate Jody’s life with a Visitation on Thursday, June 2nd from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Vermeulen-Sajewski Funeral Home, 46401 Ann Arbor Road West (between Sheldon and Beck), Plymouth. A 10:30 a.m. Mass will be held on Friday, June 3rd at St. Thomas a’Becket Catholic Church, 555 South Lilley Road, Canton. Lunch will immediately follow Mass. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to your local animal shelter or to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. To share a memory, please use the share a memory tab on this web page.

Joanne Lynn Trame

February 18, 1943 - May 13, 2022