JoAnne Marie Kabza died peacefully on November 23, 2013 with loving and devoted family by her side. She was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Anthony and Joanne Tecolato and grew up with four sisters all of whom preceded her in death. She spent the majority of her life living in Ann Arbor a community which she loved for its cultural, artistic and educational richness and opportunities.
JoAnne attended Aquinas College and Western Michigan University before her marriage to Theodore G. Kabza a handsome young medical student. Following his graduation from medical school, he served in the Army Medical Corps which allowed them to travel extensively throughout the western part of the country as he was moved from post to post. A highpoint of their life was living in San Francisco for two years.
Following their return to Michigan, JoAnne and Ted settled in Ann Arbor and had three children in quick succession. JoAnne is survived by Cynthia Kabza Vercruysse (Robert) Plymouth, and Lesley Kabza Criscenti (Daniel) Ann Arbor. Grandchildren include Theodore Hebert (Nancy Gettel) of Chicago, Adriana Hebert (Jarret Rosenberg) Delray, Florida, Michael and Allison Criscenti Ann Arbor, Gary Vercruysse (Catherine) Tucson, Az., Nicole Vercruysse Nemec (Kevin) Washington, Illinois, Anne-Marie Vercruysse Welch (Robert Jr.) Birmingham, MI and 7 great grandchildren. JoAnne was loved by her family and will be greatly missed.
After raising her children, JoAnne returned to school at the University of Michigan and graduated with honors with a BA in Journalism. She was an excellent writer and editor and had a succession of jobs at the UM in editing positions. In her early years, she wrote school plays for her children and newsletters for volunteer organizations. JoAnne was a voracious reader and was never without a book to read and at least one newspaper in her hand. Throughout her life in Ann Arbor, JoAnne was active in various volunteer capacities. She served as President of both the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Medical Auxiliary and the Washtenaw County Medical Auxiliary.
JoAnne and her husband attended concerts presented by the University Musical Society, were devoted season ticket holders to U of M football games, and every summer she looked forward to the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair which she attended up until last year. She had a great interest in the arts and enthusiastically went to galleries and museums ensuring that her children and grandchildren were exposed to the richness of the arts.
JoAnne Marie Kabza remained engaged and observant throughout her active life. She was 97 years old when she passed away at the Evangelical Home in Saline, MI where she lived for the last 6 months of her life under their loving and attentive care. Before that, she lived for 10 years at Brookhaven Manor in Ann Arbor where she enjoyed her sun-filled home, her loving cat and the friendly community and staff.
A funeral mass will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Church on Stadium Boulevard in Ann Arbor, MI on Monday December 2, 2013 at 10 AM. The family will receive family and friends at 9:30 AM in the vestibule of the church. A memorial luncheon will be held immediately following the mass at the Ann Arbor City Club on Washtenaw Avenue.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Senior Emergency Department, St. Joseph Mercy Health System, PO Box 995, Ann Arbor, MI 48106-0995.
Arrangements are being made by Muehlig Funeral Chapel in Ann Arbor, MI.
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