Joan Kathleen Shutt

Joan Kathleen Shutt, age 80, passed away peacefully in her sleep, on March 17, 2023, at her daughter's home in Colora, MD; after a very long goodbye. Born March 1, 1943, in Baltimore, MD, daughter of the late Walter A. Bernadzikowski (d. 1988) & Cecilia Clara (Slowikowski) Bernadzikowski (d. 1975). She is survived by her two daughters, Melissa Johnson of Rising Sun, Md, and Karen Benser (husband Robert) of Colora, Md; grandchildren Daniel Knight (wife Renee) of Capon Bridge, WV, Jacob Seaman of Aberdeen, Md, Jennifer Dark (husband Benjamin) of Bel Air, MD, Brittany Lynerd (husband Eric) of Port Deposit, MD, and Harley Wyatt of Baltimore, Md. Also survived by her great-grandchildren, Devon, Kaelyn, Daniella, Della, Delilah, Rylee, Kayden, Ellora, Anaiyah, Nora, Heather, Trinity, Randy and Ezekiel; sister-in-law Donna Bernadzikowski of York, PA, as well as many nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and cousins. She is preceded in death by her brothers, Walter Bernadzikowski (2021), and Francis Bernadzikowski (1978), her sisters Clara (Bern) Bernice Snyder (2001) and Rosalie Bucey (2020), as well as one beloved niece, Heidi Bernadzikowski (2000).

Joan attended St. Katherine's Catholic High School of Baltimore in 1960. She retired, in 1996, from the US Government, where she worked as a dental hygienist for 30 years. She later officially retired, in 2006, as an auditor with Verizon. She loved flowers and gardening, as well as cooking traditional Polish dishes for Sunday dinner. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Some of their favorite activities with her included playing cards (with her teaching and then beating them), coloring, sewing, putting together puzzles and grabbing lunch together on a whim. Her heart was so large that she didn’t know how to give up on anyone. She always believed the good in those she loved. In her later years she also enjoyed the community she formed at Parkview in Bel Air, MD.

Relatives and friends are invited to gather at the Schimunek Funeral Home of Bel Air, 610 W. MacPhail RD, Bel Air, MD 21014, on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM; further visitation will be held on Thursday, March 23, 2023, from 10-11 AM. A Funeral Service for Joan will begin at 11 AM. Interment to follow at Bel Air Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Joan's name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at www.stjude.org.