Joan R. Iwanski

Joan Rita Iwanski (nee Zgliczynski) passed away in her sleep on October 9, 2022, one month shy of her 90th birthday. She was the second child in a family of four siblings and was preceded in death by her parents and older brother, Vince Andrews(deceased 1997). She cared deeply for her younger two brothers Mathew and Thomas (Terry). She was married to the love of her life, Richard Iwanski, for 66 years until his death September 15, 2016. Joan and Richard had seven children --- Jerald Payton (Linda); John (deceased 2017); James (Janet); Jeffery; Jeanette Arehart; Joseph (deceased 2001); and JoAnn Ruszala (Dwayne). She is survived by 12 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. With so many children to tend to, most of Joan's hobbies were ones of necessity. If she didn't enjoy cooking, the children did not know --- there were always treats around: cookies, cakes, pies or chruscickis. She also made many family favorites including pierogies, golumpki and an award-winning almond coffeecake. Her skills as a diplomat came into play as each of the children clamored to lick the spoons and the pots (the older ones usually prevailed). Her cooking was obviously fabulous, because there was never anything left over. Sewing was another necessary activity, mending all the torn and ripped clothes from all the roughhousing and exuberant play. She also created corresponding costumes to complement the many Halloween masks created by her husband. Joan played catch with the kids and even played hockey in the backyard skating rink, suffering many a bruise and even a broken wrist. She loved playing games taught her children early on to play cards and board games. The family spent many hours engaged in these (sometimes loud and contentious) games. She played the family favorite card game, 'Oh Hell' until the very end of her life. Joan rode her bike out of necessity and for enjoyment. She thought nothing of going for miles at a time, shopping and doing errands. She even rode the bike to work, seven and a half miles down Long Lake Road from her home in Sterling Heights to a waitress-job in Troy. Joan enjoyed family camping trips and then when the kids were older, she and Richard continued camping, taking many trips around the country in a retrofitted van. She and Richard also enjoyed dancing. They took many dance classes, in part because they knew the class would provide a dance floor where they could really enjoy themselves without fighting a crowd. They would often be the first ones on the dance floor. For her entire life Joan was a devout Catholic. As a parishioner at St. Matthias in Sterling Heights, she sang in the church choir and devoted years of her life as a catechism teacher, lector and eulogist at funerals of friends and acquaintances. Joan also spent a great deal of time visiting the sick and homebound to deliver the Eucharist. Her spiritual and selfless attitude provided much-needed emotional support for them and their caregivers. She made many friends during her life and enjoyed spending time with all of them, most have received Joan's homemade cards on their birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays. She was devoted to her family and drew particularly close to her brother, Matt, during her final years. The memories of Joan's knowing smile and infectious laugh will keep her spirit alive in the hearts of all the people she loved and touched. She will be missed tremendously. A Memorial Visitation and Memorial Mass will be held on Monday, October 24, 2022 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, 44633 Utica Road (Btwn Van Dyke and M-59), Utica from 9:30 am until time of Mass at 10 am

Joan R. Iwanski

November 9, 1932 - October 9, 2022