Josephine Marie Svec

Josephine Marie (Miklasz) Svec, 64 of Berwyn, IL, passed away after a lengthy and brave battle with colon cancer. Her will to live and desire to stay here, with her family, especially her grandchildren, nearly beat back the invasion upon her body, but unfortunately this was a battle she could not win.

Josephine was the first born, and some say favorite, daughter of Gertrude and the late Harry Miklasz, arriving May 28, 1960 in Chicago, IL. She was a great first child, rarely getting into mischief or causing much trouble, well at least she didn’t get caught (wink wink).

She grew up and went to school in Franklin Park, IL, graduating from East Leyden High School in 1977.

Jo worked a variety of jobs, starting out at Burger King like everyone else in the neighborhood, moving on to being a teller at St Paul Federal, then other office positions including Administrative Assistant at WSKC. Then Jo found her forever home at Piper Elementary school in Berwyn, IL. There she was the school Administrative Assistant, although she did miss the days when she was the school’s librarian. She loved reading to and interacting with the children every day and they loved Mrs. Svec! Her passion was getting books into the hands of all children, and she worked tirelessly to hold a successful book fair every year to ensure the school earned free books for kids who needed them.

Jo married Anthony ‘Tony’ Svec in 1992. They have enjoyed over 30 years of laughter and love. Jo adored her children, Colleen (Matt) Schau Roberts, TJ Svec, and Nathan (Alondra) Svec.

Jo spent much of her time showering her grandsons, Jack Svec, Owen Roberts and Henry Roberts with an abundance of love, reading them books, building Lego creations, playing defense in a nerf gun battle, taking them on outings to the zoo or weekend trips to Woodhaven. She was an awesome Grandma!

Jo shared the most joyful moments of life, and some difficult ones, with her sisters Jennifer (late Seng) Lee and Jessica (Greg) Noxon. The three of them were inseparable, each with their own set of skills and strengths, they formed quite the party/event planning team. The sisters were so close they became bonus moms for each others children, and Jo was deeply loved by all her nieces and nephews, Jason (Amanda) Lee, Christopher (Ashley) Lee, Garrett (Brittany) Lee, Sydney Noxon and Mackenzie Noxon. She was equally adored by their children, her great nieces, Olivia Lee, Mei Lee, Penelope Lee, Sutton Lee and Monroe Lee.

Jo was also blessed with a wonderful and loving Mother in law, Roberta (late Edward) Svec. She is survived by their children John (Kathy) Svec, Pam (Kent) Gansel and Sue (late Bob) Svec. Jo adored her nieces and nephews, Aaron (Cheryl) Svec, Sara (Jeff) Svec, Brianna (Michael) March, Kayla (Tom) Forrest, Melissa Svec, Kent (Kaleigh) Gansel and great nieces and nephews, Frankie Svec, AJ Svec, Samantha Svec and Adeline March.

Jo spent as much time as she could in her “happy place”, Door County Wisconsin, much of the time with her Mom. Besides hitting up many of the wineries, she never missed an ice cream shop, or the fish boil at Bloody Mary’s. Jo always stopped at the candy store to pick up goodies for her grandkids.

It would be remiss to not mention her bonus parents, Carol (late Tom) Emerson, who were such an important part of her life, and have always been there to support her.

Jo was loved and supported by many wonderful people including her partner in crime Karen, lifelong friends Annie, Donna, Lisa, Bernie and Russ, her third sister Veda, many Aunts and Uncles, loads of cousins and second cousins, colleagues, teachers, students and their parents, and her wonderful neighbors Tim, Dena and Brian. Jo appreciated and loved each of you.

If Jo sounds like she’s a person that is too good to be true, I’m here to tell you that she was “practically perfect in every way!" The world was better when she was in it, and her absence will be felt by all who have known and loved her.

Family and friends will gather for a visitation for Josephine that will be held on Tuesday, September 17, 2024 from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Mount Auburn Funeral Home, 4101 South Oak Park Avenue, Stickney, IL 60402.