Joan Wallick

Joan Plaine Wallick, age 95, passed away peacefully at home on October 21, 2025 surrounded by family. Joan was a beloved and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, as well as a cherished sister, aunt, and friend. She was well known in the community for her decades of philanthropy in medical research, the arts, and as a member of Congregation Tifereth Israel. Known as GG to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she was also known as Jo Party to her friends.
Born October 1, 1930, in Newark, Ohio, Joan was the middle of three daughters of Sara Bonowitz Plaine and Victor Plaine. Joan moved to Bexley, where she and her husband, Albert Wasserstrom, raised five children. After he passed away, Joan married Jack Wallick, a widower with two children. They had 15 wonderful years together before he died in 1995.
Joan was preceded in death by her parents, her older sister Madelyn Wessinger, both husbands, and her oldest son, Richard Wasserstrom. She is survived by her four younger children: Ellen Kozberg, Jeffrey (Barbara) Wasserstrom, Nancy (Bobby) Isaacson, and Jimmy (Nancy) Wasserstrom; fourteen grandchildren: Ariel (George) Wasserstrom Mordoh, Aaron (Deb ) Wasserstrom, Zak (Maggie) Kozberg, Shoshana (Stephen) Kozberg Shachtman, Ben (Adina) Kozberg, Jake (Sydnee) Kozberg, Adam (Amanda) Wasserstrom, Alissa (Ari) Isaacson Finkelstein, Alex (Lianne) Wasserstrom, Allison (Andrew) Isaacson Lipsman, Cory (Avi) Isaacson Zinn, Alissa (Ari) Isaacson Finkelstein, Tilly Rose Isaacson, Sara (David) Wasserstrom Treinish, and Andrew (Julie) Wasserstrom; twenty-three great grandchildren: Alice and Lucy Jane Kozberg, Dov and Avi Shachtman, Eli and Noah Kozberg, Wills and Vivian Kozberg, Abigail and Sasha Wasserstrom, Avery and Makena Wasserstrom, Sam and Max Lipsman, Leah, Bina and Akiva Zinn, Albie and Levi Finkelstein, Marlee and Brooke Wasserstrom, and Mila and Leni Jo Treinish; Jack's children, Howard Wallick and Julie Wallick and their families: younger sister Rosalie (Ed) Ungar; niece Lisa (Lenny) Eliason; and a very special and dear friend Rose Silva. The family would also like to thank Joan's dedicated care team, in particular April Simmons.
Along with Joan's involvement with her children and their education, she stayed active in her synagogue, Congregation Tifereth Israel, where she was a member for over 60 years. She was a long-standing member of the National Council of Jewish Women and served as president of the Columbus chapter for some years. Joan was one of the founding members of Jewish Columbus Lion of Judah, and she was honored by the group with the Norma-Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award for her continued endowment support. She and Jack were enthusiastic supporters of all the arts, but particularly enjoyed the ballet. They collected art locally as well as from their travels internationally, supporting both new and well-known artists. Joan also extended her philanthropy to Nationwide Children's Hospital, where she endowed an annual fellowship for over 25 years to support a doctor researching blood issues.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, October 23, 2025 at Congregation Tifereth Israel, 1354 E. Broad St. Interment will follow at New Tifereth Israel Cemetery. Shiva will be observed following interment at Congregation Tifereth Israel. Those wishing to make a memorial contribution are asked to consider the Grandma Joan Fund, administered by Jewish Columbus, Joan Fellowship at Nationwide Children's Hospital, or the Jack and Joan Wallick Fund at Congregation Tifereth Israel – all causes that were dear to Joan."