JoAnne Colfack

JoAnne Colfack of Austin, Texas passed away on Wednesday, January 17 at the age of 78. She was born on August 18, 1945, in Chicago, Illinois where she grew up with her parents and two sisters.
She graduated from Loyola University in 1967 and joined the U.S. Navy after graduation. While in the Navy she completed her Master's Degree at Medical University at Charles South Carolina. She served initially as a nurse during the Vietnam War and later in administration and quality control for the naval hospital system before retiring as a Commander in 1988. She continued to work in healthcare administration until retiring in Austin, TX in 2005.
She had a love of gardening and flower arranging, was a voracious reader, and had a lifetime love for dogs. After initially emptying her nest, she filled it with dogs, many of them older rescues, to care for during her retirement.
She is preceded in death by her father, john Simon, mother, Agnes Simon, and sister, Dolores (Tony) Sviatko. She is survived by her husband, Brian Colfack; son, Dr. Daniel (Angela) Griffith; sister, Elizabeth Blomfield; Step-Daughter Ruth (Jamey) Heinze; Step-Richard (Kristine) Colfack; and granddaughters, Madeleine and Claire Griffith.
JoAnne's cremains will be committed to the sea from a Naval vessel in recognition of her 20-year service and the significance it had on her life. She will be remembered as a loyal sister, hardworking caregiver, devoted parent, and stalwart companion.
We would like to thank her immediate family, Health Aide Ashley Sanford, friends, and Baylor Scott and White Health System for the care and compassion they showed JoAnne in her final days.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in her honor to the American Cancer Society.