Janice Barbara Popovich

Janice (Justine Barbara Margaret Laczko) Popovich, age 81, passed peacefully on 12/22/2020 at the Inn at Olentangy Trails in Delaware, Ohio, of COVID and advanced Alzheimers. She is survived by her husband of over 60 years Jacob (Jack) Popovich Sr; her four children John (Lori) Popovich, Jack Jr (Amy) Popovich, JanMarie (Arwen) Love, and Justine (Tim) Popovich. She is also survived by her grandchildren Nicole (Jason) Dill, Hayley (Scott) Fultz, Steve Popovich, Nick Popovich, Xander Stokes, and Imani Love; and great grandchildren Evelyn Fultz, Vera Dill, and Rosie Dill; and her sister Annie Switka and cousin Rita Roncone, as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents John Laczko and Katherine (Katie) Laczko and her brother John (Evelyn) Laczko. Janice was born 9/1/39 in Klune, PA, but spent almost all of the first 62 years of her life in Youngstown, Ohio, until she moved to Columbus in 2001 to be closer to her children and grandchildren. She met her beloved husband while he played piano in various bands. To her final days, she enjoyed nothing more than listening to him play for her, which he did often. She worked as a homemaker and medical secretary for Dr. Bertrum Katz. She was active in her church for many years, serving on many committees, including the church festival, where she created beautiful artwork and advertising for the event. She graduated from Youngstown South High School in 1957, where she was voted most humorous. Everyone who knew Janice loved her outstanding sense of humor; always cracking a joke and making everyone around her happy. She could light up a room when she wanted, but was always the best and most empathetic listener. She was the best friend of many, many people in her family and among her friends, whether in the church or the neighborhood in Boardman. She loved spending time with her children at the local swimming pool, at home, and at many family gatherings with her mother, her siblings, and their children. She loved dancing, whether "jitterbug-style" with her husband or Hungarian style with her sister or cousin Rita. She never missed a Hungarian picnic at St. Stephen's Church in Youngstown. She was a great artist. Her over 30 oil and watercolor paintings hang proudly in the homes of her children, grandchildren, and friends all over. She lives on in our memories and through her paintings. In lieu of flowers, please send any desired contributions to the Alzheimer's Association ().