Joann Steinberg Chalat, who lived a life filled with love, learning and adventure, died Jan. 21, 2015, after a long illness in Grosse Pointe, Mich. A memorial service was held Jan. 25 at Kaufman Funeral Home in Southfield. Kaufman Funeral Home made the arrangements.
Dr. Ned Chalat, Mrs. Chalats husband for 65 years, cared for her during her final days. The family said he was heartbroken to lose his muse.
Joann was born March 6, 1928, in Detroit to the late Mildred and Myron Steinberg.
She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Central High School and went on to earn a bachelors of science degree in math and science from the University of Michigan in 1949.
While at university, she was a Stockwell resident, campus leader and a member of the U-M synchronized swim team.
Joann became a certified orthoptic technician and worked for Dr. Ralph Pino to help test childrens eyesight.
In 1949, she married Dr. Ned Chalat at Franklin Hills Country Club.
They moved to New York, where Ned trained at the Lampert Institute.
The couple then relocated to California while Ned served in the US Air Force. Joann worked as a lifeguard at Parks Air Force Base.
After returning to Detroit to raise her family, Joann volunteered for several organizations including Childrens Hospital and Head Start. She was on the board of the Detroit Public Library, past president of the Detroit Book Club and past president of the Arthur Rackham Society.
She and Ned were early members of the Grosse Pointe Jewish community.
Once her children were grown, Joann managed her fathers business, White Color Card Company.
In 2000, the Chalats were honored by the Alexander Ruthven Society for their contributions to the University of Michigan, including a rare and extensive collection of books illustrated by Rackham.
An ardent Democrat and a champion for civil rights, Joann was fluent in French and led several French reading clubs at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial.
Joann and Ned accumulated a renowned home library containing over 10,000 volumes, including a beautiful collection of antiquarian books.
A voracious reader, adventurous world traveler and a gourmet cook, Joann was an enthusiastic skier, tennis player, bowler and swimmer.
Joann Chalat is survived by her husband Dr. Ned Chalat of Grosse Pointe; daughter Nan Chalat Noaker (Tom) Oakley of Utah and son Jim (Linda) Chalat of Evergreen, Colo.; and grandchildren Alexandra, Rachel, Grace and Harris Chalat and Dylan Noaker.
She was predeceased by her son Andrew Chalat.
Contributions may be made to Doctors Without Borders, www.doctorswithoutborders.org.
Copyright © 2015 by the Intermountain Jewish News
