Joan T. Bzdok

Joan Bzdok passed away in Traverse City on May 26, 2013. Joan was born on August 20, 1918 in Norway, Michigan to John and Josefa (nee Paluchniak) Jasionowicz, who she referred to as “Busia and Dziadzia”. Joan was the youngest of five children, all of whom preceded her in death; her brother, Father Walter Jasionowicz, and sisters Katherine Jasionowicz, Rose Krakus, and Roni Michalski. Joan was fond of recounting that the doctor told her mother she was too small to survive, but Busia disregarded the advice and used her stove as a homemade incubator. When she was a young child, Joan’s family moved to Hamtramck, and she graduated from Hamtramck High School. In Hamtramck she met the love of her life, Zigmunt “Zig” Bzdok. “I was popular,” she remembered, “but boy, was he good looking.” In the early days, when times were tough, they would share a nickel popsicle. When Zig worked New Year’s Eve driving for the DSR, she would ride the bus with him all night. Joan and Zig were married on May 13, 1939, in a mass performed by her brother, Father Walter. They shared 58 years together in life until Zig’s passing in 1997. They lived in Hamtramck, on Barlow Street in Detroit, and in Warren. Joan and Zig had two beloved sons, the late Walter (Sally), of Beverly Hills, MI, and Michael (Cheryl) of Traverse City, formerly of Lake Orion. The lights of Joan and Zig’s golden years were their six grandchildren: Christopher and his wife Colleen Masterson-Bzdok, of Traverse City, Mark Bzdok and his wife, Heather Pickett, of Marquette, Carey Bzdok, of Charlotte, NC, Lindsay Luxon and her husband Nick, of Beverly Hills, MI, Scott Bzdok of Ferndale, and Allison Bzdok, of Royal Oak. Joan lived to see two great grandchildren, Camryn Luxon and Brendan Bzdok. She is also survived by nieces and nephews whom she adored. Joan and Zig attended Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Detroit, where she was a Member of the Legion of Mary. They were very active in the parish and garnered many friends, such as, the “Anniversary Club” and the “Six Pack Group”. Joan, of late, was saddened to have outlived all of her old friends. After moving to Warren, she attended St. Louise where she attended Bible study and was a Eucharistic Minister for many years. She was very social and loved to work the elections and the church festival. After she moved into the “Heritage Park Place” senior apartments in Warren, we joked with her that she sat at the ‘cool kids’ table. Everyone who knew Joan was struck by her affability, her devotion to family, her wit, he selflessness and her spirit. During her short time in Traverse City, she overcame two hip replacements after falls, Shingles and recurring plural effusions. Friends and relatives knew that telling her “love you” would solicit a response of “love you more”. Our sorrow at her passing is leavened by our joy at having known her. Services for Joan will be at the Wasik Funeral Home and St. Louise Church in Warren. The family wishes to express our deep appreciation to the caring staffs of Evergreen and Willow Cottages at the Grand Traverse Pavillions and the Munson Hospice House. The family is enduringly grateful to Deacon Rene Hoenscheid, St. Patrick’s Church, who gave Joan spiritual comfort and guidance in the last year of her life.

Joan T. Bzdok

August 20, 1918 - May 26, 2013