JoAn M. Czernia, age 74, of Monroe, passed away Sunday, April 28, 2024 in her home. JoAn was born May 2, 1949 in Detroit. She was the daughter of Vincent and Lucille (DeStazio) Ciacelli. She married Norbert A. Czernia October 5, 1991, sadly he preceded her in death on May 3, 2023. She was a 1967 graduate of Monroe High School and a member of St. John the Baptist Church.
JoAn worked for Midway Products for many years. Following her time there, she and her husband, Norbert, also owned and operated NorJo Café in Downtown Monroe. Owning a restaurant was a life-long dream of hers.
JoAn loved her family and taking care of them was very important to her. This included cooking and making meals for them. You never left JoAn's house hungry or empty handed. She loved spending time with her grandchildren going to their school and sporting events. She also enjoyed traveling. Her favorite destinations were Paris, France and Folly Beach, South Carolina where she spent many years vacationing as a family with all of the grandkids. Anyone who knew her, knows she dearly loved her cats: Monroe, Adrian, Stella, and Louie.
She is survived by; three children, Christopher Czernia of Virginia, Jodie Williams of Charlotte, NC and Julie Gemmel of Flat Rock; son-in-law, William Walters of Monroe; daughter-in-law Michelle Czernia; fourteen grandchildren, Tyler (Brianna), Colin, Samantha (Joshua), Alexandria (Collin), Corbyn (Nicholas), Isabella, Anna, Mathieu, Kyla, Carson, Daniel, Lucy (Jason), Ian and Brett and one great granddaughter, Giada James.
In addition to her husband, she is preceded in death by her parents and daughter, Jammie Walters.
Visitation will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 3, 2024 at Bacarella Funeral Home, 1201 S. Telegraph Rd., Monroe, where a Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. She will lie instate Saturday at 10 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church with Mass of the Resurrection at 11 a.m. Rev. David Burgard will officiate. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Monroe.
Memorial contributions in JoAn's memory are suggested to Friends of Companion Animals.
Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the family by visiting the obituary page at www.bacarellafuneralhome.com .