Joann Szczepaniuk

JoAnn Marie (Sciano) Szczepaniuk, 74, of Waunakee passed away on Saturday, April 30, 2022, at UW Hospital after a long battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her loving family at her bedside.

JoAnn was born on March 9, 1948, in Milwaukee to Bill and Mary (Gazzana) Sciano. She grew up in a multi-generational household in Milwaukee and graduated from St. Joan Antida High School in 1966. She was a leader in everything she did, including being named Miss Columbus, and selected as a Junior House Miss.

She received certification as a histology technician from the American Society of Clinical Pathologists, and completed training at Columbia Hospital in Milwaukee. On March 20, 1976, JoAnn married the love of her life John Szczepaniuk in Waukesha. They were blessed with three children – Amy, Lisa, and Jack.

The family moved to many places including, Troy, OH; Fox Point, WI; Jackson, TN; and Grand Rapids, MI. In each community, they found a home with their local Catholic parish and established lifelong friendships. JoAnn loved being home to raise the children. JoAnn and John were a presenting couple for Worldwide Marriage Encounter. JoAnn was also a facilitator for “Rainbows for All God’s Children”ministry. She resumed her career as an oral surgery assistant before returning to histology. JoAnn and John moved to Madison in 2008 where they were fortunate to work together before retiring in 2015.

JoAnn was proud of her family and loved to care for them. She found joy in hosting celebrations where she made traditional Sicilian and Polish dishes in honor of her and John’s heritages. Holidays were filled with plenty of homemade Italian cookies and Cassata cake. She had lifelong passion for sewing and took great pride in gifting beautiful quilts to her family and friends. She made quilts for many babies, including each of her grandchildren. She enjoyed time with her crocheting and knitting group at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. JoAnn and John loved traveling together and learning about their ancestry, including being able to go to Sicily and Poland. They also loved to visit with family, and spend time with their six grandchildren. JoAnn had a special devotion to our Lord’s Divine Mercy. Following a visit to Poland, JoAnn and John gifted a picture of the Divine Mercy to St. Thomas Aquinas Parish.

JoAnn is survived by her faithful husband John of Waunakee; daughter Amy (Kevin) Meek and grandchildren Grayson and Finn of Naperville, IL; daughter Lisa (Pete) Dietrich and grandchildren Will and Sam of Middleton; and Jack (Rachel) and grandchildren Estelle and Harrison of Royal Oak, MI; sister Kathy (Andy) Lamb of Mequon; sister Debra Sciano, SSND of Milwaukee; brother-in-law Jerry (Patty) Szczepaniuk of Grand Rapids, MI; brother-in-law Marty (Judy) Sepanik of Portage, MI; the family of deceased step-mother Santa Andaloro, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The Mass of Christian Burial can be viewed by following the link provided below.

https://www.youtube.com/c/StThomasAquinasChurchMadison/videos

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for JoAnn at 11:00 am on Friday, May 6, 2022 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 602 Everglade Dr., Madison, WI 53717.  Visitation will be from 9:30 am until the time of Mass.  Burial will follow at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery.  Memorials (in lieu of flowers) may be given in JoAnn’s name to St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church or St. Joan Antida High School.

St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church - https://stamadison.org/donate/

St. Joan Antida High School - https://www.saintjoanantida.org/support/donate

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