I was out of town and no news could have shocked me or saddened me more than to lose such a happy spirit. She always made me laugh!
Nancy Wallace 122 retired teacher

Today, at 62, I can still hear and see Joan, one of my favorite cousins, as we played together as young children.  Her sense of humor, made even better by her sharp wit, is something I'll never, ever forget.  The warmth and caring that tempered it made her truly remarkable.

I always enjoyed having Joan as my gym teacher! She always pushed me to do my best! Joan will be missed and never be forgotten! RIP

Very sad, Joan was also my gym teacher back at Dearborn Heights.  She made gym fun for sure.  My thoughts and prayers are with your family.  As they say, Heaven received another angel!

Knew Joan thru Special Olympics and TriCounty SRA.  She had a special gift for working with special athletes.  I wlll her greatly especially at golf tournament time.

I can't even begin to explain the impact that Joan had on my life and the more that I have read, talked, and cried this weekend, my realization of her impact on all of our lives has grown exponentially.  I always looked forward to being able to spend time with her and I still do.  As Joan always reminded me, the best analogy for any situation in life is sports, so...I wanted to congratulate Joan on being called up to the big leagues.  I'm sure she's already made sure to leave us all tickets at the box office.

Our deepest sympathy are with all of you during this difficult time.

Some of my earliest and best memories are with Joan.  She had an amazing way of making people feel comfortable and loved ... as if you and she were on a secret team.  I can only imagine how many lives she's touched.  We should all aspire to be as patient generous, kind and funny as Joan.

Some of my earliest and best memories are with Joan.  She had an amazing way of making people feel comfortable and loved ... as if you and she were on a secret team.  I can only imagine how many lives she's touched.  We should all aspire to be as patient, generous, kind and funny as Joan.

Joan was my big sister and on behalf of my whole family I would like to thank all of you for your kind words.  In one way, I still can't quite accept that she's gone, but in another, I know she will never really be gone because of the enormous effect she has had on so many lives.

JOAN YOU ARE GOING TO BE MISS A LOT AT TRI-COUNTY WE WON IN BASKETBALL FOR YOU

I met Joan when I was a freshman at Circle (UIC) in 1968. She became a good friend and a mentor to me, and we shared many good times on the fencing team, basketball, softball, etc.  I think she taught me how to drink! I was shocked at hearing this news. My sincere condolences to the entire Lilek family. She will definitely be missed.

Joan was my gym teacher back at dearborn heights and i must say class was always a blast and she knew how to make everyone happy.

Family, friends, tools and machinery, crossword puzzles, books, gardening, Special Olympics--the list goes on and on.  "One of a kind" certainly describes Joan.  Sure other people are special, but what a wonderful combination of things she was!  Kind to everyone--friend and stranger alike;  funny--what a fantastic sense of humor !; generous and thoughtful--always there to help in any way.

Visiting us in Kentucky seemed to always bring out the childlike qualities in Joan. The tools were thoroughly enjoyed--whether building, tearing down, repairing or gardening. And it goes without saying that the tractor and riding mowers just made her eyes light up! Joan, my dear "almost" sister, we can not thank you enough for all the joy, love and laughter you have shared with our family these last forty years.  Bless you, Joan, and have fun seeing all your old friends and family members and especialy working on that new projest that God has chosen especially for you!  We'll miss you so, but you'll always remain in our hearts.

Joan,was such a unique individual who believed in expressing her values and an awesome example for living in the moment. Her laugh was extremely contagious and her open heart inspired others to reflect on life and future choices.She gave respect and expected excellence in others.Her determination will be missed as well as her faith and smile.Mostly, I will miss her confidence and ability to stand up for others when they we not able to do it for themselves! Rest in peaceJoan.

Joan was the life of the party always positive funny and caring. So sorry for your loss.  She was one in a million !

Gary: & Angie, We are very sorry  for the your loss.  Our deepest sympathies to the Lilek Family.   The Mussallem Family

to all the lilek family, i send my sincere
sympathy. my the lord be with you during
your period of sorrow.

Joan will be missed! If you ever needed a
good laugh from a neighbor and Joan was outside you were gauranteed to be in for
one! She was a great person! Iam so sorry for your loss! Don't worry she is watching over everybody!

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the whole Lilek family at this time.

My daughter loved to bowl with her at  Strike N Spare in Lockport. She bowled with her several years ago and every time we signed up she would ask if Joan was going to be her helper. Unfortunately it did not happen.....We will miss her. She was lots of fun.

our deepest sympathy to the Lilek family.
You are in our thoughts and prayers

Joan and I went to college together.  We had so much fun and I have so many fond memories of Joan and her wonderful family who opened their doors to all of Joan's friends.

She was a very nice person to work with @ SRA Tri County.
                                  Saddened SRA Co- Worker

Joan was a wonderful person! I feel I have been around her my whole life; from her umping our softball games, teaching in my el. ed. district, letting me do my PE observation hours with her, then working in the same school district. I remember her voice/helpful hints as if they were said yesterday. She will be missed by many.

Joan had a winning smile and always had a twinkle in her eye.  I interviewed with the staff when being considered for the superintendency and Joan changed all the name card tents so that I would address a person with someone else's name.  That was just one example of her great sense of humor.  We became good friends and I could always count on her for a rational, thoughtful response to decisions that had to be made for  District 122.  I am truly saddened by her untimely passing at such a young age and will miss receiving her greetings in her annual Christmas Card.

Joan & I became friends when she worked with my special education students at Dearborn Hts.  She just poured so much love and energy into her job!  It did not surprise me that after her retirement she volunteered her time to help people with disabilities in the special rec program. It said so much about who she was.  Rest in peace, Joan.  You along with your family and friends are in my prayers.

I met Joan when we were high school freshmen.  We became locker partners and friends.  She was like a member of my family - always there for me, in good times and bad times. She was my bridesmaid and became my husband, Bill's, cherished friend as well.  She was our daughter's godmother and a special "great aunt" to our grandson.  Her passing has left us heartbroken.

There has never been, nor never will be, another Joan.  She had a great sense of humor and was a wonderful colleague!  Although I didn't work in the same school with her, I always looked forward to district meetings so that I could meet up with her and laugh!!  She was special.

I had the privilege of knowing Joan when my sons were students at Dearborn and I was on the PTO. She was a great woman, all the kids, parents and faculty loved her for her wit, kindness and the joy she put into everything she did. She will be greatly missed by many people. My prayers and sympathies go out to all her family & friends. RIP Joan and thank you for all you did over the years for my boys and their friends

Sitting across the table from Joan at the District 122 retirees' monthly luncheon on Wednesday, January 11th, I saw Joan, happy as could be, with her face all lit up, talking about her family's get-together over the holidays - especially the joy of being with the little ones.

Joan will be so missed.
With deepest sympathy to her family and close friends,

I worked with Joan at Dearborn Heights. She was such a joy ! The kids and staff loved her. Gym class was always an exciting place to be with Joan at the helm. She was always so cheerful. I am so sorry about her sudden loss. I know how hard this is on family and close friends. I will keep you all, in my prayers.

Joan was the President of the Teacher's Union and I was her Vice President.  We became friends and had such fun times together.  We just saw her 2 days before her death and were joking around as she always did.  Everyone will miss her.

I met Joan when we were both recreation therapy students at Moraine Valley Community College.  Joan was a great person I was proud to call my friend.  She came to encourage my team and I in trivia bowl meets, she gave me rides home from classes and events, and she made me laugh.  She was definitely someone to look up to.  I have many fond memories of her and she will be missed.

Joan is in heaven setting off buzzers and blaming the Angels.
She would understand that and laugh that lovely wicked laugh of hers.
She will be missed.

Joan was the gym teacher when I became principal of Dearborn Heights School in '97. Little did I know at the time we would become friends.She was helpful to me in so many ways the first couple years of her retirement. I am absolutely stunned by her passing My condolences to her family and friends.
She was an intelligent and caring person. She is dearly missed.
Bob Honkisz

OBITUARY

Joan M. Lilek

November 29, 1947 – January 13, 2012

Blake-Lamb Funeral Home

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