Thursday, January 13, 2022 | 10:30 AM
Mary Joan “Joanie” Carr, age 93 – passed away peacefully, at home with her family on January 6, 2022. “Joanie” Carr (Young) lived a rich, full life and was an inspiration to all who knew and loved her. Her sharp wit, selfless nature, optimism and humor were infectious to all she encountered. The party got better when Joanie arrived. An only child herself, she went on to marry Tom Carr and together build a family of 11 having 9 children and settling in Interlachen Park in Hopkins. Tom passed in 1984 and son Tim in 2013. Both passings broke her heart but she taught the rest of us by her example that faith and grief are part of a life well lived. Joanie’s faith also helped carry her through the last few years as she battled cancer with grace, determination and humor. Joanie had lots of friends and was a wonderful story teller as she’d recount tales of her upbringing and her exploits to the delight of her beloved “grands”, her kids and her friends. She was raised with love by Hugh and Irene Young growing up in Minneapolis, even living in the Oak Grove Hotel in Loring Park for a time. She went to high school in St. Paul, boarding at Derham Hall where she expanded her friendships to “both sides of the river.” She went on to college at Saint Catherine and it was during these years that she met Tom Carr whom she married 70 years ago, in October 1951.
Joanie spiced up any gatherings she hosted or attended and danced through the years with Tom and subsequently at many of her children’s and grandchildren‘s weddings. She loved a good story, a good joke and a good meal – but most of all she loved her family, her friends and her enduring relationship with God. Preceded in death by husband Tom; son Tim; and parents Hugh and Irene Young. Survived by children: Bridget (Pirsch), Tom Jr., Terry (Amy), Chris (Aimee), Michael (Ann), Dan (Kathy Glover), Molly and Colleen (Tim Evon); grandchildren: Danny, Moira, Anna and Andrew (Pirsch); Cameron, Liam and Patrick; Caitlin (Earle), Madeline and Elisabeth; Chris and Collin; Tommy, Lucia (McKenzie) and Timmy; Michael and Ryan; Sarah, Mary Kate and Amy (Evon); great-grandchildren: Bailey, Annie. Lily and Terra - as well as dozens of extended family, cousins, nieces, nephews and many other loving family and friends.