JOAN S. BYRD's Obituary
BYRD, JOAN GAUTIER
On Sept. 9, 2017 Joanie completed her earthly life and began her heavenly one. She passed away in the company of family at her N.C. home on the New River. She was born in Miami, a second generation Miamian, but has resided in Plantation Key for the last few years. Her parents, John and “S pec” Gautier, husbands Wm. Merriam, Jr., Arthur Siegel, and one grandson, Jacob Parsons, all pre-deceased her. She fought a bout, lop-sided battle with lung cancer. She fought a good fight – she never smoked. Elliot and daughter Linda were on the front line in the last months of her battle, backed by many family members and Hospice of Caldwell, N.C. Joanie was an active and outgoing person with a great smile and an infectious laugh. She was a good and loyal friend and devoted to her family. She loved parties, entertaining, fishing and dancing. She and her sister hosted an outdoor Thanksgiving Pilgrim style feast for many years. Everyone contributed. She was also one of the best “fry cooks” in So. Fla. – fresh fish, hush puppies and conch fritters were her specialties. She and Art went on many of the B.B.Y.C. cruises and there was a fryer on the aft deck of their 57’ boat. For more than 20 years she was Circuit Judge Frank Knack’s secretary. In the last few years she became an expert pickler and jelly maker. Elliot had a bountiful garden. Joanie grew up in Kendall on the property now partially owned by the Royal Palm Tennis Club. She was a member of the Riviera Country Club, B.B.Y.C., Diggers, D.A.R., Beach Colony Club, Patrons of the Museum of Science, Fishing Club at Islamorada and the Key Lodge Anglers Club. She is survived by her husband, Elliot, children, Linda Hill (Walter), Karen Merriam, Wm. Merriam III (Theresa), Tracy Rowsey (Thomas), step-children, Lynn Siegel Hodowal (O’Reilly), Fred Siegel, sister, Petsy G. Mezey, brother, Wm. Gautier and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Services will be held on Oct. 14th in the Chapel of the Mausoleum at Woodlawn Park North Cemetery, 3260 S.W. 8th Street at 11 AM. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Miami Cancer Institute, This is the Dog (a no-kill animal shelter) 815 N. Homestead Blvd. #336, Homestead, FL. 33030 or Matecumbe Methodist Church, P.O. Box 905, Islamorada, FL. 33036
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