Joanna Elzbieta Pachocka

On Sunday, July 7th 2019 Joanna Pachocka, age 57, died after a long battle with Cholangiocarcinoma, a rare form of cancer. She passed away peacefully in Hartford Hospital surrounded by her loving family.

Joanna Pachocka was a loving mother of two beautiful girls, Christie Pachocka and Andrea Angell, an incredible sister to Elizabeth Sulewski, a nurturing aunt to Micheal Sulewski and his sister Kelly Sulewski, and an unbelievable daughter to Sabina Pachocka and Andrzej Pachocki.

Joanna was born in the beautiful town of Saska Kepa, Warsaw Poland where she grew up with her sister, making an adventure out of life as she always did. She rode bikes, danced, did gymnastics, and even attempted skiing. Joanna loved to be creative. Her imagination ran wild as she played in the backyard of the luscious woods in Poland, as she recreated clothing for herself from her mother’s closet for a night out on the town, and as she created memories that she would later share with her children.

At the young age of 18, she moved to the United States with her mother and sister. She learned english while keeping up with her studies at New Britain High School. In just the two short years she attended school in the US, she managed to receive recognition and a scholarship for her scholastic achievement. In 1983 she went on to study at Central Connecticut State University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in computer science. After graduating she went on to work full time as a senior data analyst at Travelers Insurance Company for 25 years. In 2004, after many years of hard work, she bought her beloved house.

Joanna had unimaginable strength within her and it never went unnoticed. On her own, she raised both of her daughters; She made sure they went to great schools, made it to every dance recital, orchestra rehearsal, choir concert, gymnastics and cheerleading practice, and both graduated college. She raised them to be strong, independent, and incredibly loving just like herself. Joanna was a mother who was always there for her daughters no matter what the case was. Her unconditional love for her daughters was felt at every moment and will continue to be felt for the rest of their lives.

Joanna had such a strong, shining light about her that ignited everywhere she went. Her laughter, her smile and the glow she exuded was one of a kind. She was a mother to everyone regardless of whether they were family, friends, or complete strangers. She always made sure that everyone felt welcomed, felt comfortable, that everyone left with a full belly and most importantly, that they felt loved and cared for. Joanna did everything she could to give back to the community she loved so much; She gave hundreds of hours of volunteer work for some astounding companies such as Red Cross,Tony Robbins UPW, the Hartford Marathon and her local church.

Joanna was not only a loving soul, she was also extremely courageous. She walked through fire during the Tony Robbins Firewalker event as she began her journey to improve and empower herself. She would run to get in line for every roller coaster at the amusement parks she took her daughters to after overcoming her fear of rollercoasters in order to share experiences with them. She hiked every mountain she could find and followed her passion for culture as she traveled to places including: London, Brazil, France, Fiji, Dominican Republic, Canada, Ireland and Poland. Joanna followed her passion of traveling, meeting new people, and exploring what the world has to offer even weeks before her soul’s final departure on this earth.

Joanna’s unwavering faith and ability to find joy and beauty in every aspect of life has touched so many people and has inspired them to accomplish what they aspire to be and to live life to the fullest. She enjoyed walking through her favorite botanical garden, Elizabeth Park Rose Garden in Hartford Connecticut to see the flowers every Spring. She filled so many stomachs with delicious fruit that she picked herself from Lyman’s Orchards in Middlefield Connecticut. She followed the rays of sunshine and sounds of nature surrounding her with every step she took.

Joanna will forever be remembered by her family and friends as the beautiful, bright, strong woman that she was. She will continue to be an inspiration for generosity, love, kindness, and self improvement. She fought an incredible battle, and she will never be forgotten. May her soul rest in eternal peace.