Joan Zei

Joan Madeline Zei (nee Archambault), age 84, of Ripon, WI, passed away on Saturday, January 31, 2015, at her home with her daughters and grandson by her side.

Joan was born September 6, 1930, in Tokama Park, MD, the daughter of John Allen and Emma Madeline (Kidwell) Archambault. She attended St. Mary’s School in Oshsawa, Ontario, Canada, Woodrow Wilson High School in Washington, D.C., Beloit College, St. Cloud State College and graduated from Ripon College. She did further study at the University of Colorado.

Joan was a charter member of the League of Women Voters in Ripon, an active member of the ACLU, president of the Ripon College Women’s Club and the Ripon-Green Lake Women’s Club. She was also a member of phi sigma iota (an honorary language fraternity). Joan was a lifelong member of the Democratic Party, serving as party secretary for Fond du Lac County for a few years and worked very hard to see democratic candidates elected at all levels of government. She also supported Amnesty International, ERA, St. Jude’s, The Interfaith Alliance and Planned Parenthood.

Joan served in various Episcopal organizations and was very proud to be a licensed Eucharistic Minister at St. Peters. In 1949, Joan married the love of her life, Dino Zei in Bethesda, MD. Dino and Joan lived in various parts of the world and together enjoyed traveling everywhere to visit friends, students and loved ones.

Survivors include her children, Elizabeth Gina Zei and Victoria Dina Zei; Burmese sons, David Chiong and Vincent (Tok) Aye; grandchildren, Ashley Denise Vancil, Jonathan Casey Zei, Sarah Elizabeth Zei, Andrew Chiong, Angela (Mark) Ziskis, Joseph (Leslie) Hickey, Patrick Hickey and cousin, James (Ellen) Matthews. Joan was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Dino.

A tribute to Joan’s life and memorial service will be set at a later date when all family members can be together. A memorial is being established in her name.

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