Joan Zanoya

Mary Joan (Heibel) Zanoya age 70, of Madison, found peace on January 3, 2012, after a long courageous battle with cancer. She was born September 20, 1941, attended St. Bernards Catholic Grade School and graduated from Edgewood High School in 1959. She attended the UW Madison, and then married Earl "Zeke" Zanoya on Nov 2, 1961. They lived in the Westmoreland Community where they raised 7 children. After the children were all in school, Joan went back to school and earned her Medical Lab Technician degree and worked for Dean Health Systems for 30 years.
Always very involved in many activities, including volunteer work at Edgewood High School, when her children were there, Queen of Peace Parish and St. Vincent's Food Pantry. She loved quilting, was a member of Blockheads Quilting Group, enjoyed traveling, gambling but most of all, meeting people. Every person she met became a life long friend; that was Joan. She spent February and March in beautiful Biloxi MS, golfing, gambling and enjoying the many friends she made there.
Joan is survived by her husband Zeke, sons Eric, William, James and Randall, all of Madison, Robert of Boise, ID, and daughter Lysbeth (Bradley) Harris of Middleton. Grandchildren Zach, Natasha, and Mark Zanoya; Clove, Ben, and Catie Harris; Ella and Mia Zanoya. She is also survived by her brother Jack (Betty) Heibel, McFarland, sister Kathleen (Paul) Greisen of Fitchburg, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Joan was preceded in death by son Daniel, her parents, Leon and Elizabeth Heibel, in-laws Earl and Barbara Zanoya, nephews Patrick and Tim Heibel, and a niece, Sara Greisen.
A Memorial Mass Of Christian Burial will be held at OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE CHURCH, 401 S. Owen Dr. on Saturday, January 7, 2012 at 11:00am. Visitation will be from 10:00 am until the time of Mass at the church.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Khuu and the nurses and staff at Dean Hematology and Oncology. Also, a special thanks to the Agrace HospiceCare Team for all their wonderful care and support. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Joan's name to Agrace HospiceCare, St. Vincent's Food Pantry, or the charity of your choice.