JoAnn Jancosek

JOANN JANCOSEK (NEE DUDZIK) WHITING, IN
JoAnn Jancosek (nee Dudzik), age 72, of Whiting, IN passed away Monday, December 31, 2012. She leaves behind her lover, companion of 50 years, her rock, Dr. George T. Jancosek; her son, Mark (his partner, Stacy Broutman); her daughter, Gina Vitucci (son-in-law, Billy); her most cherished grandchildren: Alex, Melina, Helena, Luiza, Camille and Chloe who provided delightful fun and deep joy from the first day they began to arrive. She is also survived by two sisters: Beth Minitti and Barbara (Gene) Yonke; niece, Leda Whyte; three uncles: Ted, Joseph and Stanley Labus; sister-in-law, Jane (George) Curosh and many dear nieces, nephews and cousins of the Labus, Dudzik and Jancosek families. She was preceded in death by her son, Joseph; and parents: Joseph and Helen (Labus) Dudzik; as well as numerous aunts and uncles. A Memorial Mass will be offered on Friday, January 11, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 119th St., & Lincoln Ave., Whiting, with the Rev. John E. Kalicky, C.PP.S., officiating. A Memorial Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 10, 2013 from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Baran Funeral Home, 1235-119th St., Whiting. The St. John Rosary Society. and the Marian Theatre Guild, together with members of the parish will offer prayers at the funeral home on Thursday at 4:00 p.m. JoAnn attended St. Adalbert Grade School, George Rogers Clark high School and Mercy College of the University of Detroit, obtaining a teaching degree in English and Educational Theater. She taught English Arts at T.F. North High School and St. Francis DeSales High School where she coached speech and debate and worked on high school, dramatic productions. While her children were attending St. John the Baptist School, JoAnn was instrumental in establishing a primary grade learning center (remedial-enrichment), and throughout a span of 20 years, directed over 40 St. John School 2nd and 8th grade plays, all school shows for parish festivals, talent shows and junior choir concerts. JoAnn was passionately involved with the Marian Theatre Guild of St. John Church for decades. She directed and choreographed many productions and served as an officer for many years. She taught religious education at Immaculate Conception Parish and served on the parish council at St. John and was a member of the Rosary Society. She was also a member of the Whiting-Robertsdale Chamber of Commerce and the City of Hammond Historical Preservation Board. She was a founding member of Arts Alive!, for the enhancement of the arts in the Whiting-Robertsdale Community. She served on the steering committee for Whiting's "Summer with the Symphony" program. She spent countless hours baking for the annual Arts Alive! "Ethnic Cookie Sale", making vintage aprons and decorating windows duplicating "Buscia's Kitchen" for the annual Pierogi Festival. She was the 2012 recipient of the City of Whiting's Carl Binhammer Award for Community Service. JoAnn was just getting her feet wet with Whiting's "Studio 659" when illness came to her. She loved to bake (especially cookies), crochet, sew, knit and spend countless hours creating her beautiful garden. JoAnn was very proud of her Polish heritage. She was a member of the Polish Women's Alliance and had participated with Polish dance troops throughout her high school years. So this is her story: church, family, children (all children), the town and a garden - a practically perfect life! The family wishes to thank all who kept the stream of fresh flowers in the home, for the hundreds of cards received and the countless acts of kindness and helpfulness. Though suffering from cancer of the lung and lymph, JoAnn passed away peacefully without discomfort. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages memorials to the St. John School Endowment Fund. www.baranfh.com (219) 659-4400.