Born in Buffalo, NY on January 9, 1934, Joan married her longtime sweetheart, John Anthony Jagielski on June 26, 1952. They started married life at Camp Lejeune, NC, where the couples first child was born. Shortly after, they moved to Niagara Falls, NY and were blessed with two more children. In 1960 the family moved to Dallas, TX, where they spent the next 6 years and had their fourth child. The family was transferred to Hazleton, PA in 1966 where they resided until 1979. They were then transferred back to Dallas and remained there.
Joan was a longtime member of Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Richardson. In the late 1990's she was a board member for Habitat for Humanity (Garland), and spent many weekend helping to build houses. Joan loved to share stories about her days running in the Junior Olympics and was very proud of the ribbons she won. In later years she played tennis and softball, coaching many girls' teams. In the 1970's she was instrumental in forming a girl's softball league where they lived in Pennsylvania.
Joan is survived by 3 children; Mark Jagielski & wife Nancy (Parker, TX), Sandra Ackerman & husband Bill (Richardson, TX), Christopher Jagielski & wife Leslie (Orlando, FL), and daughter-in-law Beth Jagielski (Rowlett, TX). She was blessed with 8 grandchildren; Jason Jagielski, Scott Jagielski, Kevin Jagielski, Luke Ackerman, Kelsey Ackerman, Jake Ackerman, Jessica Hammons, and Baxter Jagielski. She is also survived by eight great-grandchildren; Noah, Landon, Scarlett, Riley, Isaac, Asher, Cruz & Scout.
Joan was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, John Anthony Jagielski in 2019, and her middle son, Steven John Jagielski, who passed just two weeks prior to her on July 26, 2022. She was also preceded by her parents, Catherine (O'Brien) & Gerald Fitzgibbons, sister Carol Danyluk-Eckert and infant sisters Patricia & Ann Grace Fitzgibbons.
Joan was a strong, determined woman who fought adversity head-on. When dementia took her mind, she was still determined to do battle with it. She fought hard, right to the end.
Mom, you have finally been set free... you are finally re-united with dad!
Call me when you get home!
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to St. Jude Children's Hospital.
Inurnment will take place at St. Joseph Columbarium immediately following the Funeral Mass.
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