Joanne Theresa (Sieja) Szymanski

Joanne T. (Sieja) Szymanski, age 86, of Toledo passed away on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, at The Gardens of St. Francis in Oregon, OH.  She was born on May 23, 1936 in Toledo, OH to Roman and Sophie (Grabowski) Sieja.  Joanne graduated from Whitney Vocational High School in 1955.  While in high school she worked as a seamstress for Beakas Cleaners, and later as a nurse’s aide for Mercy St. Vincent Medical Hospital until marrying the love of her life, Ronald J. Szymanski, on April 14, 1956.  After raising her family, Joanne worked for Buckeye News until retirement.  Her family fondly remembers Joanne as an attentive homemaker who enjoyed gardening, puzzles, and baking Polish Coffee Cakes.  Her other passions included running 10k’s and half marathons, swimming at the West Toledo YMCA, bowling in her women’s league, quilting at the Senior Center, traveling with her husband Ron, and aerobic dancing. Joanne was a long-time parishioner of St. Clement Catholic Church, where she volunteered to help with the annual rummage sale, festival, and funeral luncheons.

Joanne is survived by her husband, Ronald J. Szymanski; daughters, Cynthia Ryan, Karen (Jaime) Stykemain, and Sandra Szymanski; grandchildren, Alan Stykemain, David Ryan, and Sarah (Lee) Scutt; and great-grandchildren, Kaylee, Trenton, Samantha, Andrew, and Ella. She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Eileen Szczerbiak and Evelyn Bonkoski; and son-in-law, James C. Ryan.

Visitation will be Friday, February 24 from 2-6 p.m. in Sujkowski Funeral Home Northpointe, 114 E. Alexis Rd.  with a rosary at 5:30 p.m. The Funeral Service will begin Saturday at 10:30 a.m. in the funeral home with Rev. Francis J. Speier presiding.  Interment will follow in Resurrection Cemetery.

Special thank you to the caring staff at The Grove at Oak Leaf Village, The Gardens of St. Francis, and especially Hospice of Northwest Ohio for their incredible care.  Memorial donations may be given to Hospice of NWO.  Condolences may be shared at www.sujkowski.com