OBITUARY
Joan Korzeniewski
January 20, 1934 – March 28, 2021
Joan Korzeniewski (Aunt Joan), 87, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, March 28, 2021 after a year of frequent visits to the hospital and six months in assisted living. She was born on January 20, 1934 in Brooklyn, New York to Mary and Vincent Korzeniewski and was the oldest of five children. While living in New York, Joan earned her BA Degree in Education and a MS Degree in Educational Administration from St. John’s University, Queens, New York. Following that Joan gave 30 years of her adult life to the service of the Lord as a teacher and a principal in New York and New England. She later moved to Annapolis where she lived for the next 32 years with her sister, Claire, and brother-in-law, Gregory Wellspeak, and their children, John and Mary. During these years in Annapolis, she was employed as a teacher with Anne Arundel County Public Schools. She retired in 2005. Joan loved to travel, always ready for new adventures. Years ago, she spent many summers in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, visiting with her mother, her sister, Patricia Thomas, and her niece, Tracy, who is currently married to Jay Fore and has two children, Kristin and Brian. In the winter months of the past several years, she looked forward to vacationing again with Patricia Thomas and her brother-in-law, Ed Thomas. Joan also enjoyed several trips to Shawnee, Kansas to visit her brother, Dennis Korzeniewski, who preceded her in death, his wife, Maryann, and their two sons, Andrew and Brian. In addition to these trips, she also loved spending hours reading and playing with Mary and Matthew Larason’s four children, Jonathan, Rachel, Amelia and Lucille. Family was important to her and she always looked forward to these opportunities. Her favorite pastime at home was working on crossword and word search puzzles. Joan was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and a woman of great faith. One of the most memorable things about her was her great devotion to the Blessed Mother. She never let a day go by without saying her rosary. She was active in the parish, serving as a Eucharistic Minister, a Eucharistic Adorer, and as an adult and youth catechist. She always found time to help others and was loved by everyone she met. There is a hole in our hearts knowing that she will not be here to continue to celebrate life with us. However, we believe that she is in a better place and at peace. In heaven, she has been united, not only with her parents and her brother, Dennis, but with her other brother, Michael, as well as other family members. Her wishes were to be cremated and buried in New York with both of her parents. As a result, her interment has yet to be determined. All further information regarding this will be emailed or posted on the webpage of Taylor Funeral Home. Here, you will also be invited to share your memories of Joan and what she meant to your life. Rest in peace, Joan.
Services
No public services are scheduled at this time. Receive a notification when services are updated.
Memories
Joan Korzeniewski
have a memory or condolence to add?
ADD A MEMORYKaren Wellspeak
April 21, 2021
Good morning, Claire
My heart is sad for you all, but I also can imagine all Joan reunions to be with God and her loved ones. Joe and Mom, I know, loved Joan dearly and who didn't. She was one beautiful lady full of grace! I'm grateful I was blessed to know Joan! My prayers are with you all.
Love always,
Karen Wellspeak
Kathleen Vella Ferber
April 21, 2021
This is the first I am hearing of this. I met Joan in Christlife and we always chatted. Once we ran into each other in Giant and had a quick chat. I'm so sorry for your broken heart. I will certainly be at the memorial so I can see you. 💔
Love,
Kathleen
Bonnie Marcil
April 21, 2021
My dear sympathy to you and your family.
God bless,
Bonnie
John and Connie Robinson
April 21, 2021
Dear Claire, Greg and Family:
So sorry to hear that Joan passed away on March 28th. We know there will be a huge void in your lives without her.
Please accept our sincere condolences and love.
Your Friends,
Connie and John
Father Joachim Parron
April 21, 2021
Thank you for your message regarding the passing away of our dear Joan. I am praying for eternal peace and I am also praying for consolation for you and your family. Please keep in touch.
Fr. Joachim Parron cssr
Father Tom Gavin
April 21, 2021
My condolences upon the passing of Joan. I will celebrate the Eucharist for her eternal rest on Friday, April 23rd. May you and your family receive the Peace of the Risen Lord!
Fr. Tom
Karen Wellspeak
April 21, 2021
My heart is sad for you all, but I also can imagine all Joan reunions to be with God and her loved ones. Joe and Mom, I know, loved Joan dearly and who didn't. She was one beautiful Lady full of grace! I'm grateful I was blessed to know Joan! My prayers are with you all, and hope you have a smooth move to Summerville!
Love Always,
Karen Wellspeak
Ingrid Savignac
April 21, 2021
I taught with Joan for about 10 years. We shared our teaching styles and sometimes our frustrations with the administration. We met many times with other good friends Mary Jo cline and Margie Puglesie for lunch and shared our lives. Joan was a wonderful friend. One could depend on her support. She was a religious person and never complained.
We will miss her very much.
Ingrid Savignac
Francis Gargani
April 19, 2021
My deepest sympathy upon the death of Joan.
It was a privilege and joy to accompany her in retreat some years ago at our Redemptorist Retreat Center in New Jersey, San Alfonso. She loved being by the ocean there and took great delight in that week of silence, prayer, reading, and walking the retreat boardwalk looking out on the Atlantic. I know she is in the Communion of Saints streaming God's Light and Love to us all.
Fr. Francis Gargani CSsR
John & Blanche
April 19, 2021
Joan was a wonderful person and she will be missed at St. Mary's. Our prayers for the repose of her soul and for her family at this difficult time.
John & Blanche
Emma Pfefferkorn
April 19, 2021
Mary, Aunt Joan's niece, was my best friend growing up. Aunt Joan was a constant presence in our lives and friendship. She was always there to lend advice, a helping hand, or a smackdown if we needed it. When aunt Joan was a teacher, Mary and I used to go to her classrooms before school started to clean and help set up for Aunt Joan's students. I can still hear her offering me "fiss sticks" for dinner (that New York accent!). She was a kind, wonderful woman and I am deeply honored to have known her.
Marjorie Pugliese
April 9, 2021
In Memory of my dear friend, Joan Korzeniewski
Joan was a woman that you truly enjoyed spending time with. She was always ready to laugh and enjoy the company of her family and friends.
As a religious, she dedicated a large part of her life to the Lord. She followed in His footsteps and was always ready to step up to the plate when someone needed a reassuring word or a helpful action of caring and love.
Joan lived with her sister, Claire, her husband Gregory and her two children, Mary and John. She was always there for all of them and her presence will be missed gravely. She loved them and when they needed help, she was always there. She was excited for them when they succeeded and sad for them when they faced difficulty and challenge. As a great aunt, she loved Mary’s children and was so happy to see the family growing.
As a professional, Joan was dearly cherished by all of her students.
They called her Ms. K because they felt close to her. They knew that she was there for them and always understood their needs. Their respect for her was noticed by her co-workers. As a teacher, she went about her work quietly and effectively. I remember giving a lesson in her classroom and the children were like angels. I knew that when I entered Ms. K’s room, I would have a warm welcome. It brought me joy and success because of their cooperation and support.
Joan, we will miss you, but we know that your entry into heaven has brought you great joy and peace! Thank you for being you, for being the great friend you have been to all of us. We will join with you each day in the spirit of great hope and love. You have shown us the way and we will follow it. We will not forget you!
Mary Jo Cline
April 8, 2021
Joan and I taught together at Rolling Knolls Elementary in Annapolis from 1993 till she retired. Joan was a kind and gentle person. She would come and help me set my classroom up in September and was always well organized and neat in everything she did. We also enjoyed getting lunch together throughout the years. She will be greatly missed. Rest in peace Joan.
Love,
Mary Jo