Joan E. Soucie

Joan E. Soucie (88) of Milwaukee passed away peacefully surrounded by family in Milwaukee on Friday evening August 2, 2019. She was born to the late George and Lucia Legath. Joan is survived by her loving husband of 69 years, Donald. She is also survived by children Denise (Philip) Reichel, Laurent (Wendy) Soucie, Kevin, Guy, Michelle (Joe) Waller, and Nanette (Michael) Karges. She is also survived by her grandchildren Luciana, Manoel, Kyle, Sans, Remie, Urszula, Nicolaj, Cutter, Mack, Buck, Chad and Amanda. She was preceded in death by her siblings Elisabeth Kaczmarek, Gerald Legath, and Mary Thiede and is survived by brother George Legath Jr. Joan was elected to the Milwaukee Common Council in 1979 and served as Alderperson from the 11th District until 1984. She prided herself on challenging the entrenched special interests at City Hall and on being a strong voice for the Southwest Side. Prior to serving in city government, Joan patrolled the halls of Milwaukee Hamilton High School as a teacher's aide from 1972-78. Many students during those years fondly referred to her as "The Narc Lady." It was a tag that would follow her for years with former Hamilton students. Joan grew up near Burnham Park on Milwaukee's South Side. She attended Holy Ghost grade school and both Mercy and South Division High Schools. One day as a teenager, Joan was asked to fill in as an umpire for a softball game at Burnham Park. At a critical point in the game, there was a close play at home plate. Joan made a decisive call and ruled the runner out. The tardy baserunner named Don was furious, but his fury did not endure. He would later ask Joan to marry him. Instead, it was their love that endured. Married at 19, Joan's proudest accomplishments were raising six children and managing a chaotic household on a very tight budget. At home, Joan, among other duties, was the family lawyer, doctor, counselor, architect, cook, mechanic, electrician, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Financial Officer. There was never a challenge she was afraid to take on. She and Don were inspired into politics, especially by John F. Kennedy, and they soon became active in local and state politics. Joan read the newspapers front to back every day and was constantly tuned into the news channels. Joan loved people and loved to engage anyone she could in a political discussion. It was often difficult for family members to drag her away from those conversations. Joan was also an avid Wisconsin sports fan. She and Don would watch almost every Packers, Brewers, and Badgers game together. Visitation will be held on Saturday, August 10, 2019 at Max A. Sass & Sons Greenridge Chapel, GreenfeiId, WI from 9:00 a.m. until the time of remembrance at 11:00 a.m. Burial to follow at Highland Memorial Park, New Berlin. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to School Sisters of St. Francis or Milwaukee Public Schools Foundation, Inc. The family would like to give special thanks to the staff at both Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center and Clement Manor, Inc.