JoAnn Humphreys
December 27, 2014
JoAnn Humphreys passed away at her home on December 27, 2014 after a three year battle with Ocular Melanoma Cancer. Preceding her in death were her parents; Michael’s parents, Millie and Lefty Humphreys; brothers-in-law, Phillip Nolte and Bob Humphreys; and nephew, Brad Nolte. Millie considered JoAnn to be the daughter she never had.
JoAnn was born on May 7, 1947 to Gene and Geneva Galeazzi of Melcher, Iowa. JoAnn graduated from Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in 1968 and began her 46 year career at Mercy Des Moines in the Emergency Department and the Intensive Care Unit before moving into teaching. JoAnn received the prestigious Catherine McAuley Award for Nursing Excellence from Mercy College in 2004. She retired in 2014 as the Director of Nursing Programs at Mercy College after earning a BSN degree from Grandview, a MSN degree from Drake, and her Doctorate in Education from the College of St. Mary. JoAnn and Michael Humphreys were married September 13, 1969 and blessed with a son, Tyler.
JoAnn was loved and respected by everyone she came in contact with whether it be Mercy colleagues, students, or her dearest friends. She loved the Iowa Hawkeyes and traveling. Her favorite place being Bryce Canyon National Park where she loved the sunsets. She will now forever enjoy those beautiful sunsets.
She is survived by her husband, Michael; son, Tyler; brother-in-law, Steve Humphreys; six siblings, Dennis (Nancy) Galeazzi, Rebecca Nolte, Carol (Steve) Ross, David Galeazzi, Linda Winkelmann, and Michael (Tamara) Galeazzi; many nieces and nephews; close family friends, Shields and Diggins, and the “Greenbrier Girls”.
A visitation will be held on Friday, January 2, 2015 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines; and a Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 3 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1627 Grand Ave. in West Des Moines.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Holden Cancer Center at the University of Iowa or to Mercy College.
Condolences may be expressed online at
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Patrick Maher
01/01/2015
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and family. Never an easy time but you will always have great memories that you shared.
Evan Minnick
01/01/2015
Mike, I`m so sorry for your loss of JoAnn. She was a class person and an even better human being. I would like to get together sometime after everything calms down. Thinking of you buddy. Evan
Pam (Wadle) Cacciatore
01/01/2015
To the Humphreys and Galeazzi families. I am so sorry for your loss, and regret that we didn't see each other since graduation. What a wonderful woman she was. I am so
proud to call her cousin. May God's peace and love comfort you.
Pam Cacciatore
Toni Davis Little
01/01/2015
To Michael, her son Tyler and all the Galeazzi family, I am sadden by JoAnn's passing and your loss Tho, we haven't been in touch for sometime, she was always in my heart and I remember all the good times we had in training, being her roommate and her being my Maid of Honor. I have made a donation in her name to Mercy College. RIP.
Linda & Larry Wilson
12/31/2014
Our sincere sympathy goes out to the Family of JoAnn and all her many friends. May you find peace and comfort through your faith in Jesus Christ. He will be with all of You.
God Bless, Linda & Larry Wilson
Anita Leveke
12/31/2014
Mike & family, I am truly saddened for your loss. JoAnn was a seasoned ER nurse when I started my Mercy ER career in 1986. She was the kind of nurse everyone wanted to be, smart, compassionate, sense of humor, and calm under pressure. She will not only be missed by family & friends, but patients and students who have benefitted from her grace.
Dale Person
12/31/2014
Mike and family, Been a real long time. I am so sorry for your loss. Big Al asked me to forward his sorrow and blessings , too. God bless you all and I hope and pray for your peace. Dale Person
Shirley Beaver
12/30/2014
My friend and colleague, Jo Ann Humphreys, is the definition of style and grace. She exudes compassion and strength of character every minute of every day. I will miss her dearly.