Joyce C. Lewandowski

Joyce Carol Lewandowski (née Mahoney), affectionately known to her loving family as Mom, Grandma, and Gigi, passed away after a full life at the age of 92 on January 7th, 2026, in Joliet, Illinois. She was born on August 28, 1933 in Joliet, Illinois, the daughter of Edward Mahoney and Wilhelmina Mahoney (née Lightner).

Joyce was a lifelong resident of Joliet, IL. However, in her youth, her parents would allow her to spend some of her summer break visiting her Grandma Hattie’s house in the small town of Verona, IL. While Joyce was baptized into Catholicism, it was in Verona where she experienced the rituals of the religion. She attended Masses and Sunday School, but always with a healthy respect for charting her own path in life. She often spoke of this as being a very important part of her childhood. She said, when asked at Sunday school to say a bible verse, she always blurted out "Jesus Saves" from Acts 16:31. She liked that scripture best because it was short, and she'd giggle about that. And even though it wasn't the whole scripture of "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.", the Sunday school teacher always accepted it. Joyce married the great love of her life, Clarence W. “Clem” Lewandowski on October 15, 1949. She was a homemaker for most of her life. Starting out as a loving wife, she became a wonderfully dedicated mother to seven children, a devoted grandmother of sixteen, a great grandmother of twenty-eight, and a great great grandmother of five. In all, Clem and Joyce were proud to be blessed with a family of fifty-six souls so far. Quite a legacy! She has been very close and involved in all of their lives and everyone loved her dearly.

Mom was always accessible to our large family, in person and over the phone. And that goes for her siblings and their families, as well as special friends. She was a very smart and witty conversationalist. She not only shared her experiences and points of view, but was a very good listener and gave wise advice as well. She laughed often and enjoyed life. Her family will never forget the sound of her laughter. She loved to have a good time and was never overly judgmental of anyone. She had a knack for making anyone feel comfortable enough to confide in her.

Some of mom’s hobbies were traveling with her husband and family to Michigan, where they had a cabin, and to Florida with their friends. They enjoyed going to the racetracks, both stockcar and horses. Later in life she enjoyed the draw and thrill of a good casino. Her favorite gaming experience was on the "One Arm Bandit". Lucky 7’s to be exact. It's not ironic that she went home to be with the Lord and loved ones on January 7th, as the number 7 may have been her favorite.

Joyce will be carried to her place of rest by her grandsons Wayne Lewandowski, Nathan Ristow, Joel Bryant, Todd Lewandowski Jr., and Nate Yasko as her pallbearers. Who will be immensely proud to honor our remarkable matriarch who will always continue on in all of our hearts.

She was preceded in death by her parents Edward and Wilhelmina; her dear husband of forty-six years Clarence W. “Clem” Lewandowski; her beloved children Wayne M. Lewandowski, Karen L. Lewandowski, James E. “Jamie” Lewandowski, and Todd R. Lewandowski; and her siblings Edward Mahoney, Shirley Gustafson, and Barbara Faust.

Joyce is survived by her loving children Donna L. (Bob) Ristow, Diane L. (Larry) Lepacek, Joyce C. Lewandowski, and daughter-in-law Becky Lewandowski; her brother Jack (Phyllis) Mahoney; sixteen grandchildren; twenty-eight great grandchildren; and five great great grandchildren. Many extended family members and other loved ones, too numerous to name individually, also survive.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate any donation made in Joyce’s name to be directed to Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care at 250 Water Stone Circle, Joliet, IL 60431 or via https://lightways.org/donate/.

A Celebration of Life Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 11, 2026 from 3:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Tezak’s Home to Celebrate Life, 1211 Plainfield Rd. Joliet, IL 60435. All guests are invited to return to Tezak’s on the morning of Monday, January 12, 2026 at 10:30 am for continued visitation before a Chapel Service which will begin at 11:00 am. Immediately following the Chapel Service, we will travel in procession to Woodlawn Memorial Park, 23060 W. Jefferson St. Joliet, IL for a Graveside Committal Service when Joyce will return to her husband Clem’s side for the rest of eternity.