July 5, 2023, Joan St. Clair Smart, of Chelsea, Michigan, passed away at her home with her wife, Lisa, by her side. Joan was born in Detroit, Michigan, on June 7, 1943, to Beverly and Harry Balsley. Joan was educated at Redford Union High School, then went on to earn her Bachelor’s degree in education at Northern Michigan University. Joan taught English and History at Marquette High School, later moving downstate to work for DTE Energy.
Joan’s dream was to someday live on the water. In 1982, Joan met her future spouse, Lisa, and soon they purchased a lakeside home near Chelsea. Upon Joan’s retirement in 2002, they relocated to Provincetown, Massachusetts, a small seaside town at the tip of Cape Cod. This was Joan’s “special place”. She loved the town for it’s beauty and diversity, and there she cherished her very close friends. In 2019, Joan spent her retirement years golfing, traveling, reading and also fitting in her daily walks.
Joan is survived by her wife of 41 years, Lisa Cook; son, Jeffrey (Kim) Smart; three grandchildren, Kayla, Rebecca, and Hayden Smart; sisters, Carol (Steve) Firavich and Marianne Churchill; brother-in-law, Scott (Bonnie) Cook of Chelsea; and many nieces and nephews. Joan was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Beverly(Richardson) Balsley; and sister, Sally Cecere.
The family would like to thank Residential Hospice for their wonderful care and compassion.
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