(1941-2026)

Joan called forth from her students the values and virtues buried deep inside, and isn’t it likely that those same young women called forth virtue in Joan? That’s how her life was, filled with family and friendships that enriched her life and prepared her for this lasting time with God.

Sister Susan Van Baalen’s funeral homily for Sister Joan Krajewski, from which this quote is taken, honored a woman whose more than twenty-two years in ministry at Regina Dominican High School in Wilmette, Illinois, helped shape the lives of thousands of young women – and who was, in turn, shaped by them.

Joan Marie Krajewski entered the world on May 28, 1941, at a hospital in Highland Park, Michigan, an enclave of Detroit. She was the first child of Walter and Genevieve (Ringvelski) Krajewski, who lived on Detroit’s east side; her brother, Daniel, was born about seven years later.

As the oldest child and, especially, as the only girl, she was “nicely spoiled” by her father, with whom she was very close. “I loved my mother, her sense of humor and everything, but I could always talk much more easily with my dad,” she said in her life story.

Sister Joan described her home life as “kind of a ‘Leave it to Beaver’ home.” Her father worked as a tire checker for what was then called U.S. Tire, later known as Uniroyal, while her mother worked in a school cafeteria. One set of grandparents had a farm where she spent her summers, while the other set of grandparents lived with Joan and her family – as did her aunt and the aunt’s two boys until Uncle Gene came home from his military service in World War II.

“My grandparents took care of us while my parents were at work,” she wrote. “My two cousins and I were called the ‘Hole in One Gang.’ We climbed trees, went through the alley collecting pop bottles and taking them to the store for money. I was a real tomboy. We had wonderful times together.”

She was educated by the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) Sisters at both St. Catherine School, where she attended first grade, and St. Raymond of Penafort School. She also had two cousins who were Felicians, and between the two congregations, “I thought those were the only kind of Sisters there were,” she wrote. “The first time I saw a Dominican was when I went to Dominican High to register.”

Read more about Sister Joan (PDF)

Memorial gifts may be made to Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, MI, 49221. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Anderson-Marry Funeral Services, Adrian.

Sister's Memorial Card (PDF)

 

 

Vigil and Funeral Recordings

Note: To view recordings with closed captioning, they must be viewed on our public video library rather than through the links below.

Recording of Sister Joan's Vigil Service - After clicking the link, download the recording by right-clicking on the video choosing "Save video as." Worship Aid (PDF)

Recording of Sister Joan's Funeral Mass - After clicking the link, download the recording by right-clicking on the video choosing "Save video as." Worship Aid (PDF)

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