Obituary for Joanna Guzman
Joanna Frances (Felckowski) Guzman (age 98) passed away peacefully at her home on July 29, having been surrounded by her loving family. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband John J Guzman, her parents Frank and Frances Felckowski, her brothers Ben, Eddie (Feltz), and Leo Felckowski, and by her great-grandson Christopher Maly. She is survived by her loving and devoted children: Jim (Becky) Guzman, Jerry (Judy) Guzman, Marie (Tom Dejewski) Guzman, Linda (Carlos Cardona-Morales) Cardona, Janie (Dennis) Swoboda, and Connie (Mike) Plotkin.
She will be missed greatly by her treasured grandchildren: Laura (Kent) Maly, Kristina (Corey) Janik, Erik (Paisley) Guzman, Angela Schwahl, Sara Guzman, Melissa (Jon) Scholtens, Sabrina (John) Rugg, Esther (Brody Sandel) Cardona, Victoria (Kyle) Noble, Mandy (Mark) Grant, David (Kristin) Swoboda, Timmeka (Matt Beric) Swoboda, Michael (Nikki) Plotkin, Benjamin (Taylor Brandon) Brinkman, Emily Brinkman, and Megan (Erik) Rutter.
She is further survived by her precious 25 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild, sister-in-law Delores Guzman, many nephews and nieces, and other relatives and friends.
Joanna was born almost a century ago into a loving family and was raised on a farm. It was here that she learned from her industrious and hard-working parents how to make do or do without. She learned love of God and love of others, which she put into practice her entire life.
Although she was short on formal education, she had incredible skills, aptitudes, and creativity. Joanna had that uncanny ability to seemingly make something out of nothing at all. Many family members are cherishing her knitted and crocheted sweaters and afghans. She could look at fabric and envision a coordinated wardrobe of perfectly tailored clothing. She was seen intently looking at her rather worn living room furniture and the wheels began turning in her head. Not long afterward, every piece had been reupholstered to perfection. She could just as easily fix a torn garment as patch a skinned knee or mend a broken heart.
Another time, family members saw that same look in her eyes as she contemplated her unfinished basement in St. Francis. As time and materials permitted, she and her husband transformed it into a rec room, complete with powder room, built-in cabinets, carpeting, and a bar area with comfy stools.
There was magic in her hands as she created a terraced garden in the back yard. Even in drought summers, her garden flourished with the tastiest fresh vegetables to feed her family of eight. And so that nothing ever went to waste, the excess was frozen and expertly canned so that her family would continue to feast like kings all winter long. She surrounded her home with myriad colorful flowers and brought her unique beauty into the world for everyone to enjoy.
Whenever guests arrived, expected or unexpected, Joanna worked her magic in putting on an impromptu banquet. Her down-to-earth culinary skills were legendary. With her large and spread-out family, her husband and children were coming and going at all times. Yet, she made each one feel loved and special by having a hot meal ready many times throughout the day. There was joy in the neighborhood when her children returned home from school at mid-day and the local kids were calling out “Mrs. Guzman is baking bread!” She added a secret ingredient to everything she made…love.
Special thanks to VITAS hospice and their staff at the in-patient unit of the Ruth Hospice House. With their assistance and loving care, they made it possible to care for Joanna and meet her needs at home as well as know she was cared for when respite was needed. Kelly, her nurse, was so helpful and knowledgeable. She taught family members the necessary techniques as well as what to watch out for throughout her journey since last October. Shareka her aide came twice weekly in the last few weeks when she was bedridden to give her sponge baths. She is a gentle, loving, thoughtful soul. The memory of watching her handle Joanna so carefully and delicately will be treasured.
Visitation at Divine Mercy Parish (800 Marquette Ave, South Milwaukee) on Thursday, August 4 from 9:30 to 11 AM with Mass at 11 AM. In light of this, in lieu of flowers, donations to the Ruth Hospice House or the charity of your choice in honor of Joanna are appreciated.
She will be missed greatly by her treasured grandchildren: Laura (Kent) Maly, Kristina (Corey) Janik, Erik (Paisley) Guzman, Angela Schwahl, Sara Guzman, Melissa (Jon) Scholtens, Sabrina (John) Rugg, Esther (Brody Sandel) Cardona, Victoria (Kyle) Noble, Mandy (Mark) Grant, David (Kristin) Swoboda, Timmeka (Matt Beric) Swoboda, Michael (Nikki) Plotkin, Benjamin (Taylor Brandon) Brinkman, Emily Brinkman, and Megan (Erik) Rutter.
She is further survived by her precious 25 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild, sister-in-law Delores Guzman, many nephews and nieces, and other relatives and friends.
Joanna was born almost a century ago into a loving family and was raised on a farm. It was here that she learned from her industrious and hard-working parents how to make do or do without. She learned love of God and love of others, which she put into practice her entire life.
Although she was short on formal education, she had incredible skills, aptitudes, and creativity. Joanna had that uncanny ability to seemingly make something out of nothing at all. Many family members are cherishing her knitted and crocheted sweaters and afghans. She could look at fabric and envision a coordinated wardrobe of perfectly tailored clothing. She was seen intently looking at her rather worn living room furniture and the wheels began turning in her head. Not long afterward, every piece had been reupholstered to perfection. She could just as easily fix a torn garment as patch a skinned knee or mend a broken heart.
Another time, family members saw that same look in her eyes as she contemplated her unfinished basement in St. Francis. As time and materials permitted, she and her husband transformed it into a rec room, complete with powder room, built-in cabinets, carpeting, and a bar area with comfy stools.
There was magic in her hands as she created a terraced garden in the back yard. Even in drought summers, her garden flourished with the tastiest fresh vegetables to feed her family of eight. And so that nothing ever went to waste, the excess was frozen and expertly canned so that her family would continue to feast like kings all winter long. She surrounded her home with myriad colorful flowers and brought her unique beauty into the world for everyone to enjoy.
Whenever guests arrived, expected or unexpected, Joanna worked her magic in putting on an impromptu banquet. Her down-to-earth culinary skills were legendary. With her large and spread-out family, her husband and children were coming and going at all times. Yet, she made each one feel loved and special by having a hot meal ready many times throughout the day. There was joy in the neighborhood when her children returned home from school at mid-day and the local kids were calling out “Mrs. Guzman is baking bread!” She added a secret ingredient to everything she made…love.
Special thanks to VITAS hospice and their staff at the in-patient unit of the Ruth Hospice House. With their assistance and loving care, they made it possible to care for Joanna and meet her needs at home as well as know she was cared for when respite was needed. Kelly, her nurse, was so helpful and knowledgeable. She taught family members the necessary techniques as well as what to watch out for throughout her journey since last October. Shareka her aide came twice weekly in the last few weeks when she was bedridden to give her sponge baths. She is a gentle, loving, thoughtful soul. The memory of watching her handle Joanna so carefully and delicately will be treasured.
Visitation at Divine Mercy Parish (800 Marquette Ave, South Milwaukee) on Thursday, August 4 from 9:30 to 11 AM with Mass at 11 AM. In light of this, in lieu of flowers, donations to the Ruth Hospice House or the charity of your choice in honor of Joanna are appreciated.