Joan Askew, age 74 of Canton, passed away June 14, 2023. She was born on August 11, 1948 in Detroit, Michigan to Walter and Mary Frisch.

By a chance meeting on a chairlift at Alpine Valley Ski Resort, two lives would soon experience the hand of fate in its truest form. As a pair of gentlemen looked on to the skiers below, one Bill Askew relayed to his fellow rider, Walter Frisch, what a good skier he noticed on the slope. That particular skier just happened to be Walter’s daughter, Joan. And as they say... the rest is history.

Joan and Bill dated for a short while before tying the knot. Because of Bill’s time in the Air Force, the two found themselves living in Rapid City, South Dakota, on to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and eventually over to Canton, Michigan, where they settled and made their home. Joan spent some time waitressing in her father’s restaurant before her and Bill realized the great news that she was expecting. When their son, David, was welcomed into the world, Joan decided to devote her efforts solely to her family. Life with Joan was easy. She and Bill were truly made for each other, enjoying their days side by side. As a mother, she mastered a steady balance of teaching life’s important lessons all while continuing to give her unconditional love. She was firm but fun, and that one mom that her son’s friends looked forward to seeing. A little later in life, a new joy presented itself when Joan became a grandmother to her grandson, Austin. Austin quickly became more like a second son, while Joan had the luck of having him live just a short distance away. She was more than excited to help in any way, from teaching him how to tie his shoes, to guiding him into adulthood.

A life filled with fun and laughter, Joan took every opportunity to enjoy each day. Warmer weather meant boating and fishing at the summer home in Higgins Lake. She and Bill enjoyed skiing during the winter months, and weekly golf games with friends. They looked forward to vacationing in Las Vegas and always made time to party with friends. Joan especially loved dogs and took great pride in raising four of her own, with each of them living over 14 years of age.

With a constant smile on her face, Joan effortlessly made friends wherever she went. She radiated a warm and welcoming presence, and genuinely cared for the people who surrounded her. She was undeniably the funniest and most lovable woman you would ever meet. As the life of the party, she never met a stranger and quickly gained the affection of her company. She was famously known to turn a ten minute dog walk into a two hour neighborhood meet-and-greet. Joan’s passion for life and the way she made people feel so loved will remain a treasured memory for those she left behind. Her bright smile and beautiful soul will be missed beyond measure by all who had the honor of knowing her, and especially by her adoring family.  

Joan was the beloved wife of William for 53 years. Loving mother of David (Christy). Proud grandmother of Austin. Cherished daughter of Mary Frisch and the late Walter Frisch. Dear sister of Walter (Mary) Frisch, Robert (Barbara) Frisch and George (Annie) Frisch.

Visitation for Joan will be held on Wednesday, June 21st, from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at McCabe Funeral Home, 851 N. Canton Center Rd., Canton. Her visitation will continue on Thursday, June 22nd, from 11:00 a.m. until the time of her Funeral Service at 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home. 

Memorial donations in Joan's name may be directed to Angela Hospice.