Joann Habrelewicz

It is with great sadness we share that Joann R. Habrelewicz joined her loving husband Fred and daughter Lindy, at rest on October 20, 2022 at the age of 85 years old. She will be lovingly remembered by her four children, Lisa (Elvin) Montanez, Beth (Thomas) Ziaja, Fred (Gina) and Paul and her grandchildren, Shannon (John), Scarlett, Kayley, Spencer and Rachel. Joann was born in Detroit, Michigan, and raised in Michigan. After moving to Chicago with her family at 18, she found her lifelong home in the city. She married Fred Habrelewicz in 1963. In 1967, they settled in Dunning, where Joann became a fixture in the neighborhood. She developed life-long friendships with her neighbors, and their families. The family became parishioners at St. Ferdinand Church. A devout Catholic, Joann lived her faith every day with peace and love for her family and community.Whether or not she knew it, Joann was a trailblazer, balancing motherhood and a career her whole life, and a dog or two. Her family was her focus, and her grandchildren were her pride and joy.Everyone who knew Joann loved her. She was kind and funny, always quick with a smart remark when someone had it coming. While people sometimes annoyed her, she loved animals and had a menagerie of pets throughout the years – Sweets, Butch, Peanuts, Sheba, Honey, and Tara were just furry family to her. She loved Christmas, and bringing the extended family together for holidays and special events. While some of us were partial to her baked beans, many loved her signature Italian sausage appetizer.Fred and Joann were always the first ones on the dance floor at weddings and parties. In her later years, she was the life of the party at Friday night bingo.After approximately 10 years of “cleaning out her house to prepare to downsize,” she leaves behind an inordinate amount of teddy bears that she loved, obsolete paperwork, classic Christmas decorations, and various home furnishings that have now been relocated to her children’s basements. Her family grieves her loss but they take comfort in knowing that Fred and Joann are dancing in heaven together again. Visitation Tuesday, October 25th from 4:00 to 8:00 P.M. at Cumberland Chapels (FRIEL FUNERAL DIRECTORS 8300 W. Lawrence Ave., Norridge. Funeral Services will be held at the Funeral Home on Wednesday at 10:00 A.M.. The Committal Service will follow at the Acacia Park Cemetery. The inurnment will take place at a later date at Maryhill Cemetery, Niles. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to PAWS Chicago in Joann’s name.