Joan Anita Rachowicz
March 4, 2026 – 10:00am cst
Joan Rachowicz, loving wife of 50 years and devoted mother passed away peacefully on February 27, 2026 at the age of 79. She was born on February 10, 1947 in Joliet, Illinois.
Joan is survived by her husband, Michael Rachowicz, her two sons, Nicholas and David (Beth), and her daughter, Katherine. She is also survived by her brother Robert Libertor (Sherrie), her cousins Rudolph Yurkovich (Leslie) and Beverly Decman.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Dolores Pershe and Robert John Libertor.
Joan grew up with a love of music. Starting at age 5, she began taking piano lessons. She later even played the organ on Sundays at Stateville Correctional Center in Crest Hill, Illinois.
She was a graduate of St. Francis Academy in Joliet, IL. Majoring in music education, she received a Bachelor’s degree at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb and later her Master’s degree at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign.
Joan began her teaching career with the Blue Island School District and later taught general music at the Homewood School District 153 until she retired in 2008. She is remembered for introducing a “Recorder Karate” program to her students, many of whom still keep their decorated recorders with them today.
In retirement, Joan loved working on her family’s genealogy and later became a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (D.A.R). She also enjoyed traveling, learning local history, going to concerts, playing Scrabble, and doing crossword puzzles.
Visitation will take place on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Tews-Ryan Funeral Home, 18230 Dixie Highway, Homewood, IL 60430.
Funeral Service Wednesday with 9:15am prayers at the Funeral Home to St. George Church for a 10am Mass, 6707 W 175th St, Tinley Park, IL 60477.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Joan’s memory can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, located in Memphis, Tennessee.
For additional information, contact tews-ryanfh.com or call 708.798.5300
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