Jeanette Marie Bakowski-Astafan

Our beloved daughter, sister, aunt, loving partner and friend has completed her journey with us here on earth and has begun her eternal journey. Our lives have been enriched with her memories and they will be forever cherished. Jeanette’s strength, spirit, natural goodness, kindness, and spunk will live on with all who had the opportunity to know her.

Jeanette was born in Solvay, New York to Joseph and Josie Gryga. Jeannette has a brother Paul and sister-in-law, Kim, who have two children, a daughter Sarah and son Peter. Peter is currently engaged to Blythe Owens, and they will be married in June. Jeanette also has a sister Karen and brother in-law Steve McPeak. They have three children, a son David and two daughters Katy and Lizy.

Jeanette relocated from Syracuse, NY to Sarasota, FL in 1998. In 2004 Jeanette met the love of her life, Charlie Astafan, at his birthday party and shortly thereafter they began a loving life together. Their motto, to work hard, play hard and love harder, was known to all who knew them. They truly enjoyed and cherished their lives together.

Over their 20-year relationship Jeanette and Charlie traveled the world together, with trips across Europe to England, Holland, Belgium, France, and Germany, as well as Africa.

Their most memorable and spiritual trip was to Egypt where they visited the pyramids in Giza, Cairo Museum, King Tutankhamun Tomb, temples in Abu Simbel, Valleys of the Kings and Queens, Aswan Dam, Luxor and cruised the Nile River.

Their second most memorable trip was to South Africa, where they toured Johannesburg, visited Mandela Square, stayed on Zambi River, and toured the surrounding villages and museums there. They also toured Victory Falls and went on Safari in Kruger Park at Sabi Sands where they saw the “Big Five”.

Most recently, Jeanette and Charlie visited Italy. When in Rome they visited the Vatican, Colosseum, Patheon, Roman Forum and Castel Sant’ Angelo. They also traveled to Florence and spent time in the Tuscany Valley touring wineries and shopping for Italian olive oils, balsamic and balsamico.

Domestically, they traveled to numerous wineries in Napa, Sonoma, Niagara Falls, Niagara on Lake and in the Finger Lakes region of New York State as well as wineries through the Blue Ridge Mountains. Anyone who spent time with Jeanette knew her love of wine and enthusiasm for her special breakfast wines.

While Jeanette had the opportunity to see and experience many beautiful things around the world, her most cherished time was at home on Siesta Key. She loved the beach and being on or near the water. Jeanette absolutely adored her cat children and was a true cat lover. Her most recent cats included Bear, Cocobean, Aly and Maxwell. Jeanette also loved to garden and designed tropical landscaping at her home. She enjoyed quiet evenings in her garden surrounded by her cats, enjoying the starry nights and moonlight skies while enjoying a glass of wine.

Jeanette also had a rich professional life. Jeanette was an artist at heart and loved everything creative and spiritual. She has a BS in Visual Communications from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh where she graduated on the Deans Lists with an Outstanding Achievement Award. She was the Director of Marketing and Communications at University Park Country Club, which was fitting due to her love of nature. Prior to that she held Creative Director positions at the Asolo Repertory Theater and Ringling Museum. Prior to that she was the Creative Director for Femme Rouge Magazine, a nationally distributed Beauty-Fashion-Food and Lifestyle magazine where she played a critical role in that Magazines start up and roll out. Jeanette’s first job when she relocated to Sarasota was Creative Director of Sarasota Magazine. During her time there, Sarasota Magazine won numerous awards and accolades including Florida Magazine Associates Awards, Charlie’s for Best Overall Magazine, Best Visitors Publication and consistently Best Theme and Best Feature Design for monthly issues.

In lieu of flowers please send a donation in Jeanette’s name to your local Hospice organization.

A Celebration of Life will be held at University Park Country Club, The Park Grille Lakeside Room at 7671 The Park Blvd., University Park, FL 34201 on January 6th from 12:00 – 2:00 PM to celebrate Jeanette’s incredible life and both personal and professional achievements.