Joan Marie Kmiecik

Joan Marie Kmiecik (nee Pollack) died on September 26, 2025 at the age of 91 in Indianapolis. A resident of Indiana for over twenty-five years, Joan previously lived in Dearborn Heights, Michigan, Aurora, Ohio and Huntsville, Alabama. She was born in Detroit, Michigan on July 10, 1934 to Mary and Frank Pollack.

A lifelong student, Joan graduated with honors from high school and went on to receive a degree in mathematics from Marygrove College in Detroit, Michigan. Throughout her life she continued to take classes in mathematics and physics at colleges nearest to her at the time, including John Carroll University in Ohio, University of Alabama, Ball State University and Indiana University. Despite her extensive education, a masters’ degree eluded her by three credits.

Joan began her career at IBM and, after the birth of her six children, found her calling as a teacher of advanced math and physics at the high school level. She shared her knowledge of mathematics and physics with hundreds of students at Brecksville High School in Ohio in courses Analytical Geometry, and Calculus, Trigonometry and several honors mathematics courses. She regards as her most meaningful professional achievements awards received from the student body including “Best Overall Female Teacher,” “Most Gullible Teacher” and “Best Sense of Humor”. Later, at New Palestine High School in Indiana, she was awarded two Indiana Academic All-Stars Certificates of Merit and voted “Best Dressed.”

Famous among family members for shopping at Saks Fifth Avenue and Nieman Marcus, Joan also taught herself watercolor painting and became a prolific artist throughout her 60’s and 70’s yet she refused to sell any of the paintings. Joan was a published author in The Mathematics Teacher magazine with an article entitled, “Get Your Asymptote Intercepts Here” which came about when she and her students accidentally discovered a shortcut to this computation. She also began a manuscript entitled, “Sawdust in My False Eyelashes” which chronicled over thirty years of teaching experience that started as a substitute teacher in industrial arts.

One of Joan and her husband George’s proudest achievements during their 50 years together was raising six children, all of whom graduated from college. Joan was predeceased by George, her beloved husband of 50 years, her son Greg, and her infamous dog Raffles—well known for his uncanny ability to recognize a good butcher She is survived by her five children, Jackie (Shoemaker), Alan, Chris, Nancy and Susie (Peterson), her ten grandchildren (Kayla, Jenna, Katie, Caroline, Christian, Patrick, Colin, Taylor, Rick and TJ) and five great grandchildren (Coraline, Kellan, Evelyn, Mack and Melody).

A Memorial Mass for Joan will begin at 10:00am on Friday, October 3rd at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church (4217 Central Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46205) followed by private inurnment at Our Lady of Peace Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Anew Hospice at 3830 East Southport Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46237; (317)300-2292