Joan Marie Paez

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Joan Marie Paez, age 77, who departed this life peacefully on August 16, 2025 surrounded by her loving husband and family.
Joan was born August 26, 1947 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin to the late Charles & Beatrice Benish. She was the youngest of 5 children, two preceded her in death.
A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister and friend, Joan shared 47 wonderful years of marriage with her beloved husband, Lupe M. Paez. They shared many adventures and enjoyable times on riverboat cruises, musical & theatrical performances, the MN State Fair and reminiscing on good times at their favorite restaurants around the neighborhood and Wisconsin. They balanced each other well and together they built a life rooted in love, laughter, hard work, patience, and unwavering care and support for each other, their family and community. Their foundation and inspirational example continues to live on and multiply.
She was a proud and dedicated mother to two children and a cherished grandmother to seven adoring grandchildren: Melissa Floysand (David - husband, Madelyn, Nathan, Sam, and Luke - grandchildren) and Mario Paez (Nancy - wife, Joaquin, Monica, and Viviana - grandchildren). Nothing brought her more joy than spending time with her family; whether baking with the little ones, cheering at her kids' and grandchildren's sporting events, concerts, and activities, gardening, finding bargains, sharing life lessons and advice, or volunteering to help others throughout the community. Her heart was so full of kindness, empathy and desired to sincerely help and care for all people by sharing Christ's love, grace and compassion. Her humility, sacrificial spirit, smile, and sense of humor were a comfort to many, and her legacy lives on in the lives she touched. She will be deeply missed and forever loved.
A Celebration of Life Visitation with family and friends is set for Wednesday, September 10th from 10am-noon; followed by Service from noon-1pm, officiated by Father James Bernard from Our Lady of Guadalupe (St. Paul, MN), all to be held at Klecatsky West Chapel Funeral Home (1051 S. Robert Street, West St. Paul, MN 55118). Immediate family are invited to depart via motorcycle escort at 1:30pm for Fort Snelling National Cemetery for formal burial at 2pm.
In lieu of flowers, her family kindly requests consideration of a donation, in the honor of Joan, to support research in the continued fight against Alzheimer's and support those impacted by the devastating disease by following a link to Joan's Alheimer Association's tribute page:
https://events.alz.org/fundraisers/mariopaez/honoring-joan-paez-by-supporting-research-and-care-for-other-individuals-and-families-affected-by-alzheimer--s-
The Paez family extends heartfelt gratitude for the outpouring of love, support, prayers and condolences during this difficult time. Please join them in remembering and celebrating the life of Joan, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister and friend. May her soul find eternal peace.
-The Family of Joan M. Paez