She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Ann Karczewski and her brother, Joseph. She is survived by her three children, Stephen Langridge (Barb) of Grand Rapids, Christine Borek of Lansing, and Karen Langridge (Stephanie) of Virginia; four grandchildren, Kevin, Kyle (Ashley), Nicole, Tyler, and great grandson, Beau; sister-in-law Mary Theodore, and many cousins, nieces, and newphews.
Joan lived her life quietly. She prayed a lot, especially the Rosary. She always tried to be honest. She was a cancer survivor of 57 years who never gave up. Her earliest ambition was of being a housewife and mother and she achieved it. She lived to see her greatest wish come true, that of raising her 3 children at least to their teens. She hopes that others would have learned from her to never stop reading the dictionary. Her hobbies that she enjoyed were gardening, walking--particularly on the beach at dusk, bingo, and an occasional trip to the casino.
She was especially fond of sports and loved teaching the little ones how to play tee-ball. The very first season of coaching her little Red Rockets from Michigan & Fuller won 1st place 10-0—not bad for not wanting to play for a woman coach, was it?
She would like to be remembered as a fun-loving sports enthusiast and love of dogs.
A funeral mass will be held on Friday November 10, 2023 at Basilica of St. Adalbert, 654 Davis Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504 at 11:00AM. The family will receive guests beginning at 10:00AM at the church following a Rosary at 9:30. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Gilda’s Club, 1806 Bridge St. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504 or the Human Society of West Michigan, 3077 Wilson Dr NW, Walker, MI 49534.
