Sister Joan Marie Romaniak
age 84, of Hammond, was called home by the Lord on Tuesday, August 8th, 2023. Sr. Joan is survived by her sister, Patricia (Joseph) Szany; brother, Peter Romaniak; nieces, Jill (John) Lowe, Becky (Mark) Kelleher, Jennifer (Brent) Duncan; as well as great-nieces and nephews: Jack, Casey, Lucy and Brendan Lowe, Zoe and Annie Duncan, Paula Gratt, Steven Romaniak, and Barbara, Tom and Nancy Moore. She is preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Helen Romaniak, as well as siblings Joseph (Genevieve) Romaniak and Valerie (Tom) Brady.

Sr. Joan was a graduate of Lourdes High School in Chicago. She later attended Quincy College in Quincy, Illinois where she earned her master's degree in special education. She was an avid Cubs fan. Sr. Joan's journey led her to a life of unwavering faith and commitment as she embraced her calling to become a nun with the Sisters of St. Joseph of the 3rd Order of St. Francis.  She touched so many lives over the years, beginning with teaching young students in the classroom to her service in the hospital working with young children. She unconditionally loved her family, nieces, nephews and friends and was always there to help them through their trying times.  Sr. Joan consistently took time to listen and genuinely cared.  All of her extended, kind and loving family at St. John Bosco Parish brought so much joy to her life.  Her heart was the largest part of her body.  Sr. Joan put everyone else first above her own needs. God only takes the good ones first, and she was the best. We will miss her dearly.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, August 16, 2023 DIRECTLY at St. John Bosco Church, 7113 Columbia Avenue, Hammond, IN with Fr. Jeffrey D. Burton officiating. Friends may visit with the family at the church from 9:30 AM until time of Mass. Burial will be held on Thursday, August 17th at 11:00AM directly at Holy Cross Cemetery in Calumet City. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.