Joanne Kowalczyk, 81, passed away Sept. 5, 2024.
She was born in Philadelphia in 1943, the eldest daughter of Joseph and Anna Reaph. Throughout her life, she was known as a caring and faithful person who was involved in numerous groups and clubs. She was also an avid reader, enthusiastic collector and lover of games, especially bowling and bridge. After a childhood spent attending Catholic schools, Joanne taught second grade at a Catholic school for several years. She met her husband, Jim, at a wedding where he was playing in the band. On their first date, she told him he "had potential." They married in 1965 and moved to Hinsdale in 1978. Throughout their 59 years of marriage, they traveled widely and spent summers at the beach, where Joanne could usually be found enjoying the ocean breeze while reading a good book. Over the decades, she was a devoted mother to their three sons and a loving grandmother to their five grandchildren. Joanne was an active parishioner of St. Isaac Jogues Church in Hinsdale, where she dedicated her time to the Parish Council and to guiding couples through marriage preparation. She was also a longtime member of the local Ladies Day Out group.
She is survived by her husband, Jim; her sisters, Regina (Gregory) Szal, Cathy (the late Michael) Root and Maureen (Russell) Kantner; her sons, Christopher (Jennifer) Kowalczyk, Jason (Nancy) Kowalczyk and Ryan (Cristina) Kowalczyk; her grandchildren, Sofia, Daniel, Emily, Katherine, and Benjamin; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
A funeral Mass was said Sept. 9 at St. Isaac Jogues Church in Hinsdale.
Interment was at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St Isaac Jogues Church, 306 W. Fourth St., Hinsdale, IL 60521.
Brian Powell Funeral Directors of Hinsdale handled the arrangements.
