JOANNE "JODY" DODGE, age 59, put down her pink boxing gloves and retired from the ring on December 9, 2017. Her sister and children and family by her side, and spiritually surrounded by numerous other family and friends, God welcomed her home to begin her new job as our Guardian Angel.  We lost the most amazing, beautiful, generous, and caring soul.  Jody made an impact on everyone she met, which is demonstrated by the numerous loving tributes posted to social media.  All of her children's friends were taken under her wing, and were honored to call her Mom.  She taught her children to be tenacious and passionate, to have fire in their souls, to speak up for what was right, and to give… always give. Jody was full of laughter, and quite the ham! She accepted people exactly as they were. Fun and reckless, strong and wise, she had so many varied and beautiful sides. She loved her family fiercely. She stood up for what she believed; often very stubborn but always very true. Even through this last battle, she fought with everything in her. But she never worried about herself; only those she was leaving behind, and how they would feel.  Jody made everyone's lives better just by being there.

When Jody took on a position or a project, she was passionate about it and fought hard for what she believed was right for everyone.  She served 18 consecutive years as a council member for Garden City, Michigan, where she fought for the community's best interest. She was also president of the Little Caesar's Hockey League for numerous years; a volunteer position that was a full-time job.  In addition, she was active in the Democratic party, a full time advocate for the high school pompon team, and gave her service to endless community organizations.  She attended Eastern Michigan University in the late 1970s.

Jody married her soulmate, Steven Dodge, in 1983, and they raised three children, Dustin, Jack, and Devan, all who survive her. She is also survived by her sister, Mary Mix her husband Carl Smith and niece Katrina Journeaux and her family ("my Trina and David"). Other very loved family members who survive her are sister-in-law, Laura Tinsley and her husband, Chris and children Sydney and Samantha; brother-in-law, Scott Dodge and his wife Amber and children Brandon, Scotty, and Kenzie; nieces Michele Hamann, Marty Bakun, Debbie Levitan, Linda Mix, and Patty Gardner and their families; numerous cousins and their families; and close friends and "second children" too numerous to mention in this short space. Jody is predeceased by her father and mother, Albert and Catherine Mix, and half-brother, Albert Mix, Jr.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 16 at John N. Santieu and Son Funeral Home, 1139 Inkster Rd, Garden City, MI 48135.  Visitation will be from 1-3 pm, with the service starting at 3pm.  Friends and family are invited to step forward and say a few words after the service.  In lieu of flowers, donations are requested for the family.

Rest in peace dear Jody.  You deserve it.