Lois M. Major Sarnecki

Lois Morelli Sarnecki passed away at Saint Anthony’s Home in Crown Point, Indiana on January 05, 2016. She was eighty-seven. Lois was a dynamic, self-taught, ceramic and art teacher. Her students and friends will remember her ceramic classes at Sandy Pines in Demotte, Indiana and later at the Del Web Community in Ocala, Florida. In Florida, her students displayed and sold their pieces at the annual art fair she organized. As a devout Catholic, Lois participated and hosted a rosary group in her community. They met weekly and prayed for the health and wellbeing of fellow participants and their families.

Her husband, Louis Sarnecki, remained steadfastly by her side until his passing last March. They were a loving couple; active in square dancing groups in Demotte and partners in their ceramic business for well over 15 years. They were inseparable, always holding hands, through their 38 years of marriage.

Lois had a passion for dancing. She partnered with her first love and first husband of 35 years, John (Jimmy) Morelli, at the Elks Club in East Chicago, Indiana. Jimmy was the band leader of the Bombardiers in the Army Air Force during World War II. He met Lois in St. Louis at an American Legion dance organized by Lois’s parents, Fred and Hazel Major. She went from a young war bride traveling from base to base, to a community leader who was one of the first presidents of the Highland Mother’s Club. Lois was a recognized and renowned Brownie and Girl Scout Leader in Highland, Indiana. John and Lois remained deeply in love until his passing in 1979. Together John and Lois had three children who have survived them: John Noble Morelli III, Lanan Morelli Bennett, and Deborah Morelli Mutka. Lois was loving stepmother to David Sarnecki and Christine Sarnecki. Lois’ life was full of love and this is very clearly shown through the family that she leaves behind. Her beloved grandchildren: Jessica Morelli-Powers; John Robert Bennett; Lisa Morelli-Shannon; Sarah Mutka; James Mutka II; Robert Lee Bennett II; Brooke Louise Bennett and Mary Bowditch. And her cherished great grandchildren: Grant Powers; Skylar Shannon; James Mutka III; Victoria Mutka, Olivia Marie Bennett, and Addy Bowditch.

Lois is survived by her brother Fred Major and his wife Carole from San Diego, CA. Fred said that Lois was very special to him. He remembers a fun sister who taught him how to dance and all the laughter they shared. Lois is aunt to Terry-Lynn; Christie; Fred Jr; Billy and great-aunt to their children. Lois is survived by her sister Carol Major Farr and her husband Charles from Bonne Terre, MO who shared in the laughter and dancing in the Major household. She is aunt to Chuck; Bill; David; Mary Carol; and was predeceased by Robbie. She is great-aunt to their children.

Lois touched the lives of so many as a teacher, community leader and as a daughter; sister; parent; grandparent; great-grandparent; aunt and great-aunt. She instilled faith and confidence in her students and loved ones. She leaves us with the gift of love and laughter in our hearts to live life unafraid and undaunted. The illness of dementia took her from us before it took her bodily, but she maintained her dignity and together we would like to thank the staff at Saint Anthony’s for their wonderful care of this special person who will be missed.