JoAnn Marie Salkeld (Motsch)
March 31st, 1938 – December 29th, 2022
JoAnn Salkeld passed away on December 29th, 2022, surrounded by family at Baptist Louisville Hospital. She went by a few names; JoAnn, Joan and Cinnamon. Her family generally knew how long the person addressing her knew her, by what name they called her.
She was called Joan by most of her aunts, uncles, and cousins as well as school age friends. She went to St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School and then onto high school to Ursuline Academy. She graduated high school with the class of 1956.
At seventeen, she went to work at the “Telephone company." There she was told she had to go by her legal name which was JoAnn Motsch. She continued using JoAnn professionally thereafter. She retired, the first time, from AT&T. She worked for BellSouth during part of her tenure there. She was a proud member and sometimes a leader of the Communication Workers of America. She retired as an administrator at 55. She loved to tell about the time she got to sing with James Brown on stage at the Mid City Mall.
After her first retirement she started working for the Jefferson County, Democratic headquarters as the administrator. While there in the eighties, she was voted in to be on the Kentucky State Democratic Board. She was elected as a National Convention Delegate twice. She was a delegate and voted for the nomination of our first African American president. She often bragged about receiving a hug from our current President Joe Biden. During this time, she also decided to go to college. She started at Spalding College and continued at the University of Louisville with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology. It took her well over a decade, but she did it!
After retirement from the Democratic Party, she went to work for the PVA. She loved every job she ever had.
JoAnn loved to socialize and belonged to the Moose Lodge, American Legion Highland Post as well as the Aero Club of Louisville. She had the nick name of Cinnamon at the Aero Club. There are many stories as to how this came about.
She was born to Elizabeth and William J Motsch, in the Louisville Schnitzelburg neighborhood. Yes, she did the dainty contest at least once. She was married to Ben Phillips in the sixties and had three children. She was married to Bud Salkeld in 1974 up until his passing in 2005.
Preceded in death by her parents and husband, Sister-in Law Mary Jane Motsch, and Niece Cynthia Motsch. She is survived by her brother William A Motsch Sr. (Diana), a son Tim Phillips (Marcy), two daughters, Jeanine Phillips and Lisa Moore (Steve); stepdaughter Robyn Carman (Jerry), grandchildren Emma Kiernan, Erika Parker (Bobby), Tyler Yeary; and six great-grandchildren, Elijah, Marisa, Lincoln, Rayland, Greyson and Bo and nieces and a nephew; sisters-in-law Barbara Fox and Brenda Phillips; great nieces and nephews, many cousins and friends.
JoAnn and family chose the Highlands Funeral Home at 3331 Taylorsville Road, Louisville, KY 40205 for her visitation and Funeral Service. Visitation will be Monday, January 2nd from 2:00pm to 8pm. Celebration of Life will be at the Aero Club of Louisville at Bowman Field 3333 Roger E. Schupp starting at 8pm Monday following visitation please join us. A final viewing will be at noon on Tuesday, January 3rd with service starting at 1pm.
Burial will immediately follow the service and will be at St. Michael Cemetery in the Huelsman section.
As an expression of sympathy, in lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations to the Visually Impaired Preschool Services (VIPS) at 1906 Goldsmith Lane, Louisville, KY 40218; or The Churchill Park School at 435 Boxley Avenue, Louisville, KY 40209.