Joan Gayle Zochniak

As the matriarch of the Zochniak family, Joanie relished and cultivated deep connections with everyone she touched. She was born in Oak Park, Illinois into the family of John Emil, Eleanor, and her big sister Sandy. She grew up in Bensenville, Illinois where she found the love of her life, Zenon. They later married while she wore daisies in her hair and was surrounded by beloved friends and family. They traveled to Hawaii on their honeymoon when she felt an instant affinity for the spiritual principles of Aloha and the tremendous beauty of Hawaii. They went on to have their first child, also named Zenon, followed by Justin, Zoe and Jenna. The Z’s and the Js grew up causing mischief and joy with their cousins. These included Daniel (son to Sandy), Kirsta, Ryanne, and Karlee(daughters of Joanie’s friend and cousin Kathy) and Darin and Ben (sons of another of Joanie’s great friends and sister-in-law, Anna). While working as a homemaker, she oversaw the fun and chaos, joining in to incite boisterous card games, usually won by Eleanor.

They moved to Morristown, Tennessee in the 80s keeping important bonds alive with her relatives and friends back home while teaching the kids to be excellent swimmers in their pool.

Moving once again for work to Colorado in the mid-90s was also a welcome change for the family. Although farther still from their extended family, Colorado's natural beauty won them over. She became an ordained minister and delighted in celebrating many couples including officiating at her own children’s weddings. She tailored the ceremonies with individualized and sacred rites. She imbued them with the principles of love and family connections to welcome Jeannette, Robbie, Michaela and AJ. Her most recent great happiness was brought about by becoming a grandmother to Lazaro, Carmen, Elin, Valencia, Atticus, Bacary, and only just over a year ago-Link. Their “Noni” also orchestrated their entertainment with the cherished grandparent right of creating magical playtime filled with imagination and wonder.

She passed on while surrounded by her husband and children, held in love and light with gratitude and appreciation for molding them to be wonderful people. They love her more than they have words for. They cherish their memories with her and her support throughout their lives.

As you know, she adopted the Aloha greeting, which is a greeting meaning hello, welcome and farewell. It's also used as an expression of love and affection. But more than just a word, aloha is also a way of life. At its core, aloha means love and everything that comes along with it: sympathy, kindness, compassion, mercy. It means spreading joy and understanding through small acts of goodness. Living with aloha is a daily reminder to better ourselves and the world around us and to treat others with respect.

There will be a memorial service via Zoom on January 23, 2021 at 3pm MST time. If you have not yet been contacted and would like to attend, please email [email protected] and the family will send you the link.

Details of a celebration of life for hopefully this summer will be determined soon. We hope that you will be able to attend in person.