JoAnne C. Gretencord-Szobar

JoAnne C. Gretencord-Szobar
JoAnne (Hannigan) Gretencord-Szobar passed away on Sunday, August 24 at The Timbers in Shorewood, Illinois, surrounded by her daughters.
JoAnne was born January 31, 1940, to her parents, Henry and Dorothy Hannigan. She was one of 5 children, setting a course that would impact her life and legacy for years to come. She grew up in Ottawa, IL playing with her siblings, Bobbie, Hank, Margaret, and Steve. Her father died when she was young and she was raised by her mom and wonderful step-father, Arthur (Skip) Mahnke. Her foundation was rooted in hard work and determination.
It was in these early years that JoAnne began cultivating her lifelong love for and interest in the arts. She sang in the school choir, was a talented painter, and a dedicated actress. She loved to recall just barely missing an opportunity to be a big Hollywood actress! In 1956, she was selected to audition in a world-wide competition to discover a young actress for Otto Preminger's film version of Bernard Shaw's Saint Joan. She became the runner-up to Jean Seberg, who went on to become a famous actress. Later, JoAnne also became a published poet.
She married James Lewis Gretencord (deceased) on January 4, 1958. Together, they had 7 children Rebecca (Jack, deceased) Pichon, Jeanie (Mike) Hookom, Lisa (Tim) Hansen, the late James Lewis (Renee) Gretencord II, Mary Beth Kuster, Jennifer Olson, and the late Bobbie Jean (passed in infancy). Jim and JoAnne raised their children in Morris, IL, a town JoAnne would grow to love and serve throughout her lifetime. JoAnne spent many of these early years as an entrepreneur with her wedding cake business.
Eventually, her interests turned to real estate. Dorothy Black of Dorothy Black Real Estate became a beloved mentor and gave JoAnne her start in the field. Enthusiastically, and in a time when men dominated the business world, JoAnne soon forged a new path and set the tone for her family. She opened JoAnne Gretencord Real Estate in 1976. Consistently rated Grundy County's top real estate agent, she thrived on helping her community find their perfect home. Being a real estate agent was more than just transactional business dealings to JoAnne; it was helping more than three generations of families live the American Dream. Countless families entrusted her to help them build a piece of their life and legacy: finding a home that would be in childhood memories. From thinking about homes as a background of Christmas mornings to the kitchens where cookies were baked, tears shed, and laughter resounded, JoAnne knew what a home meant. It was her joy and maybe the greatest love of her life to help people find a home.
As her business grew, so did her social life. She and Jim hosted countless pool parties at their home, holiday parties, and more. JoAnne was a people person and thrived on being around others.
To know JoAnne was to also know her for her service to the community. She was a member of the following city, county, community, and/or international organizations: Charter Member of Fraternal Order of Eagles, Morris Rotary Club (Director & International Chairman), Morris Public Library Committee, Morris Junior Women's Club, Morris Citizens Police Academy, Morris Hospital Auxiliary, Developmental Review Committee City of Morris, Planning Commission City of Morris (Director), Morris Community Credit Union (Director & Chairman of the Credit Committee), Breaking Away, Inc. (Director), Grundy County Chamber of Commerce (Former Director), Grundy County Economic Development Council, Grundy County Mental Health & Drug Abuse Advisory Committee, Grundy County Historical Society, We Care of Grundy County, Three Rivers Habitat, Founding Director of Illinois Valley Sheltered Workshop (now known as Illinois Valley Industries), 100 Club, I-Care International (including mission trips), and many other social clubs.
One of her favorite acts of service was helping found the Illinois Valley Sheltered Workshop, now known as Illinois Valley Industries. They are an organization dedicated to supporting and advancing those with disabilities in our local community. She, along with fellow volunteer John Black, even helped raise the initial funds for the building project. She helped secure Glen Yarborough, a nationally known folk singer, to perform two fundraising concerts.
Professionally, she participated in the Will/Grundy Association of Realtors, Northern Illinois Multiple Listing Service, Institute of Real Estate Management, Illinois Association of Realtors, and the National Association of Realtors.
Later in life, she reconnected with her high school sweetheart and Prom date, Steve Szobar. Known as "Stevie" to her, she cherished finding love once again. They spent many joyful years together until Steve's death in 2011.
As her career advanced, she merged her business with ReMax Top Properties and enjoyed living out her real estate joys alongside her old and new coworkers. This provided her with the best of both worlds- many more years doing what she loved while getting to enjoy a little more time for herself. But that doesn't mean she slowed down! JoAnne battled three different types of cancer and beat it each time. She maintained a strong sense of service in her community and continued to enjoy socializing with friends.
Her beloved home for the last 5 years was at The Timbers in Shorewood. Per usual, she was the life of the party, enjoying BINGO, birthday and holiday parties, and more. She also met her companion, Jack Corrado, with whom she's spent the past few years. Jack has been a loving and attentive companion, bringing laughter, joy, and care to JoAnne's life. He quickly became part of the family and enjoyed many holidays and gatherings with us.
JoAnne and her family want to thank The Timbers for providing excellent care to JoAnne. Their kindness, compassion, and professionalism brought JoAnne and her family great comfort and peace of mind. Thank you for creating such a supportive and caring environment where our mom felt safe and valued. We deeply appreciate all that you do.
She was preceded in death by her daughter Bobbie Jean in infancy, her parents, sister, Bobbie, father of her children, James I, her favorite son, James II, and, her late husband, Steve Szobar. She leaves behind her brother, Hank (Nadi) Hannigan, sister, Margaret Mahnke, brother, Steve (Kathy) Mahnke, five daughters, nine grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
To the community, her legacy is one of service and success. To her children, her legacy is a passionate heart for others that just doesn't quit. To her grandchildren, there are fond childhood memories of playing on typewriters around her office, learning to play Shut the Box and poker at holidays, the epic family Disney trip, and hearing the real stories about what it was like raising our parents. Three of her grandchildren are business owners.
A private service for the family will be held at a later date. The family requests that any gifts of remembrance be directed towards We Care of Grundy County and Illinois Valley Industries.
For more information, please call 815-725-0100 or visit www.farkasfuneralhome.com