Joan M. Pajak, 79, of Huntley, formerly of Schaumburg, died peacefully in her home surrounded by family on March 19, 2021.
Joan was born in Chicago on August 10, 1941 to parents Joseph and Anna (nee Witek) Szyszka. She married Gerald “Gerry” Pajak on October 19, 1963 and together they raised their two children. Joan was entirely devoted to her family and nothing brought her more joy then to spend time with them. She was very active in Sun City, participating in the hospitality group, the social committee, bike club, tap dancing, and much more. She was caring, kind, helpful, and a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Joan will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
Joan is survived by her beloved husband of 57 years, Gerald Pajak, her children, Shari (Mark) Baughman, and Michael (Wendy) Pajak, her granddaughter, Lindsey, her brother Thomas Siska, and her sister-in-law, Mary Szyszka.
She was preceded in death by her brother, Joseph Szyszka.
Visitation will be Thursday, March 25, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. at DeFiore Funeral Home, 10763 Dundee Road, Huntley with Memorial Mass will follow at St. Mary Catholic Church at 10:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Joan’s name can be made to Vitas Hospice https://www.vitas.com/ and Northwestern Medicine Cancer Research https://foundation.nm.org/
For more information, please call 847-515-8772 or online condolences can be directed to www.defiorefuneral.com
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Our prayers for the Pajak family
We are so sorry for your loss.
Thoughts and prayers to all the family. Our hearts are breaking for all of you to lose this beautiful wife, mother and grandmother. A pleasure to call Joan our friend. She was fun to be with. We will miss her but knowing she is in the arms of our Lord and Savior is comforting. God comfort you all.
Joan is remembered with love and a smile. She brought so much laughter and joy to our lives. Joan was full of mischief and fun during our Hoofer tap classes. She was also so active in our community. She will be missed. My deepest sympathy to Gerry and her family.
Joan was small in stature but big in heart. My fondest memory is sitting with Joan at the ball field. We talked about TV shows and recipes. Joan baked the best home-made desserts and brought them to parties when we got together with friends. She was also a champ and excelled at party games. There's so many good things to remember about Joan. I am going to miss her so very much. God bless Joan and condolences to the entire Pajak family.
We Are so sorry to hear of Joan’s passing. She was a very fun and loving person. We will keep all of her family in our prayers
You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Our love and support are with the entire family.
So sorry to learn of Joannie's passing. I remember her because I was good friends with Sandi Pajak for many years. Sandi and I thought joannie was very pretty. One of my best memories was on Halloween when I was about 9 or 10 and Joannie and Judy (sandi's older sister) were combing my hair to make me look like Honey West at the Pajak Halloween Party!!! Another time Joannie and Gerry took us to the Schaumburg Fest (when Schaumburg seemed so far away) and we stayed overnight at their new house.