Joanna Mackey

On July 10th, our beloved mother, grandmother, sister & aunt left us at the age of 91.

Joanna C. Mackey was born on Friday, March 24th 1933 to Eleanora and Andrew Anderson Sr. The oldest of four children, Joanna grew up in South Philadelphia and attended George W. Child’s Elementary School and Barratt Jr. High School. During these school years, Joanna was not allowed to participate in any physical activities like sports because she was very thin and fragile as a child. Reading was a favorite of hers. By highschool, she blossomed and was a dance major at William Penn High. Joanna was also a member of Lincoln Post drum and Bugle Corps where she was a majorette.

After graduation, she worked at Albert Einstein hospital. In her late teens, she would meet Dewey Mackey and marry. Together, they would have four children: Rudy, Rudine, Robertta and Andrew. Joanna spent many years working as an assistant buyer at John Wanamaker Department Store. Later, she worked as a file clerk and eventually retired from Quartermasters.

Joanna joined Christ’s Family as a member of St. Simon the Cyrenian Episocpal Church, where she was a member of the St. Martha’s Guild and also a member of the senior choir. She was a member of The Clef Club and also participated frequently with The Abselom Jones Choir.

Joanna had a passion for the arts, she enjoyed crocheting and knitting. She learned to follow patterns and created many beautiful things for her friends and loved ones. She also was good at dressmaking and creating jewelry and cooking. A cause close to her heart was The Lakota Tribe Children’s Fund. Joanna loved to travel. In her lifetime, she visited Jamaica, Mexico, and places throughout the U.S.

Joanna was preceded in death by husband Dewey, mother Eleanora, father Andrew Sr., brother Andrew Jr., brother James, son Rudy, daughter Rudine, and grandsons Tyrone and Kyle.

Left to mourn Joanna is, her sister Florence, daughter Robertta, son Andrew, grandchildren Charine, Racheal, Roberta, Marcus, and Jasmine. Also a host of great-grand & great-great grand children, nieces , nephews and other family members and friends.