Joann Malcolm

MADISON – Joann “Joey” (Jenkins) Malcolm, age 92, passed away on November 21, 2021 in Madison, Wisconsin where she had lived for 60 years. Joann was born to Pete and Caroline Jenkins of Peoria, Illinois on September 27, 1929. She graduated from Peoria Central High School and then continued her studies at the University of New Mexico where she earned a degree in Home Economics.

Joey married William (Bill) Malcolm in December 1950. They lived in Peoria before moving to Milwaukee in 1962 and then to Madison two years later. In 1964, then moved to the new Parkwood Hills neighborhood on the far west side where Joey lived until 2017 at her home at the top of Appomattox Court.

She is survived by her brother Jim Jenkins (Sally) of Discovery Bay, California; her children, Bill Malcolm of Indianapolis, Gigi Wayne (John) of Middleton, and Jim Malcolm (Mary Sue) of Ft. Myers Beach, Florida; and granddaughter Kelly Wayne of Appleton. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband William, and sister Barb (Tom) Young of Phoenix.

After raising three children in Madison (all of whom attended Memorial High School), Joey worked for the Bureau of the Blind, a state of Wisconsin agency, for over twenty years where she assisted those who were losing their vision. She ran eight support groups for low vision individuals for many years held throughout Madison including at Oakwood Village and Attic Angels senior living communities. She also worked at The Stock Pot, Madison’s first kitchen, gourmet food, and cooking stores.

Joey was an active gardener as well as a crafts person. She was the Martha Stewart of Madison, always making a handmade birthday card, flower arrangement, or gardening. She was also the Julia Childs of Parkwood Hills and was best known for recipes that could be at times creative especially if ingredients were lacking.  She was an active reader making frequent trips to the Alicia Ashman Branch Library as well as the Middleton Library for novels.

Joey was also a member of the Parkwood Hills Neighborhood Association, the Parkwood Hills Garden Club, and PEO. Before moving to Madison, she was in the Junior League of Peoria, Illinois.

Joey—or “M” as some of her children called her-- was known for her commonsense advice which was freely given and her concern for the well-being of others.

Her friends included Deborah Postweiler (a former co-worker at the Stock Pot), the late Charles Strauss of Chicago (who like her attended the same elementary school in Peoria and was a frequent visitor to Madison after both their spouses passed), and Nancy Benzschawel.

The family would like to thank Dr. Robert Olson of Associated Physicians (and his staff) for his excellent care over the years. They would also like to thank the staff at Attic Angels assisted living, SSM St. Mary’s Care Center nursing home, and the doctors and staff at UW Hospital for the care they gave our “M”.

A private family burial will be held at Forest Lawn Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a tribute for a trellis be made in her name to The Olbrich Botanical Society (www.olbrich.org/donate/rememberances.cfm ), or call 608/243-0153, or by mail to: Olbrich Botanical Society, 3330 Atwood Avenue, Madison, WI 53704 Attn: Tribute Trellis Contributions for Joann Malcolm).

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