Ruth "Joan" Medici

Joan Medici died in her home on February 9th while being cared for by her loved ones. At the time of her death Joan was 83 years old and, with the exception of the past few weeks, she enjoyed a long and healthy life. While these weeks made up a small fraction of her life, unfortunately they came during her two favorite times of the year – Christmas and cruise season. This brought her far more pain than the complications that followed her December heart surgery.

Joan was an only child raised by her parents Ruth (Liddicoat) and Joe McAuley in Des Moines. In 1958, she married Donald Medici and gained six siblings. She treasured Don’s family and sometimes joked that they made being married to him all worth it. Don and Joan worked hard and enjoyed their life together. They had three children, Kim, Jolea and Donnie. In 1970, they bought a fishing resort on beautiful Leech Lake in Minnesota and she fell in love with the area, keeping a cabin on the lake for the rest of her life. She made many great “lake” friends and looked forward to reuniting each spring.

Joan cared deeply about her family and friends. Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought her much joy, and she them. Whether she was creating new Christmas traditions, traveling with her kids and grandkids or cruising the lake, fishing with the “greats”, she truly enjoyed life. Her love of shopping, traveling and traveling-to-shop closely rivaled her passion for her family. Throughout her life she built friendships and many of these friends shared her wanderlust. She treasured her travels with these close friends. Her favorite destinations always included sun, sand or a mall.

Joan is survived by her daughters Kim Medici Shelquist (David) and Jolea Tabaka (Mike), grandchildren Sarah Shelquist, Michael Tabaka, Melanie Tabaka, Brian Moore, Patrick Shelquist, Eric Hough and Don A. Medici, Jr. Also surviving are the “greats” whom she adored and regularly spent time with including Eleanor, Livvie, Kaden, Karsen, Kallie, Masen, Nolen, Damien, Brianna, Jonathon, Skyler, Lawson, Tyson and Arianna.

She was welcomed home by the love of her life Donald, her son Don A. Medici, her dear friend Karen Chapman, her parents and a baby brother.

Services will be held Sunday, February 16, 2020 at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens at 12:00 p.m. with visitation one hour prior.

Memorials in Joan’s honor can be made to EveryStep Hospice, Hopkins Grove United Methodist Church or the charitable organization of your choice.

There will be a luncheon held following the service at 1:30 p.m. at The Fletcher, 1802 N. Ankeny Blvd #100, Ankeny, Iowa 50023

Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

Print