Joan Hartzell

Joan was born in Chicopee, Massachusetts on October 12, 1933 to the late Walter and Helen Janas. The oldest of three, she was raised in a traditional Polish Catholic family. She graduated from Chicopee High School.

Joan was especially proud of her career as an executive secretary in Washington, D.C., where she worked for Congressman Edward Bolan in the 1950s and, a couple decades later, Senator Carl Levin of Michigan. She was also a real estate agent in the D.C. area prior to her return to Michigan.

As a Boston Red Sox fan since childhood, Joan was able to finally cheer her team to a World Series title at the age of 71.

Central to her life, however, was her Catholic faith including, most recently, as a parishioner at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs in Fraser, MI. Her faith was a source of strength and guidance throughout her many years.

Joan is survived by her five children: Tom (Jodi), Karen Robinson, Paul (Patti), Jean Colling (Jim), and Mary McAtamney (Darryl Scott); many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and her brothers, Walter Janas Jr. of Great Falls, Montana, and Tom Janas of Chicopee, Massachusetts.

Visitation will be Wednesday, September 16th from 4pm to 8 pm with a Rosary at 7pm at A.H. Peters Funeral Home, 32000 Schoenherr, Warren, MI 48088

A Traditional Latin Funeral Requiem Mass according to the pre-Vatican II Roman Rite will be offered Thursday, September 17th at 10am at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, 16414 E 14 Mile Rd, Fraser, MI 48026.

Joan will be laid to rest at Resurrection Cemetery in Clinton Twp.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, 1820 Mount Elliott Street, Detroit, MI 48207 are appreciated.

https://www.cskdetroit.org/donate/monetary-donations/#online

Due to the traditional nature of the Requiem Mass, please note the following dress code information for the church:

Ladies must wear dresses or skirts at least covering the knee, with at least short sleeves, not low-cut in either front or back, nor exceedingly tight; they are also requested to wear a head covering in the church (some on hand at the church in case you forget). No slacks, please.

Men must wear both a jacket and a tie.

All are kindly asked to observe a reverential silence while in church.

Please see the church guidelines for any further direction on appropriate attire for the Requiem Mass

https://olqmfraser.org/site/about_us.php