JoAnn Koziol (née Hodur), age 83, passed away peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of love, dedication, and quiet strength.

Born on February 8, 1943, in Hammond, Indiana, JoAnn was the beloved daughter of the late Walter Hudor and Stella Hodur (née Maluchnik). She was raised in the Hegewisch neighborhood and attended St. Florian Grade School, where she began forming the strong values of family, faith, and resilience that guided her throughout her life. JoAnn later made her home in Lansing, where she lovingly raised her family.

JoAnn shared a beautiful life with her devoted husband, Joseph Koziol. Married for 64 years, their bond was a true testament to enduring love, partnership, and commitment.

She attended St. Louis Academy before completing her high school education at George Washington High School. JoAnn's ambition and compassion led her to first earn her real estate license and later pursue a career in nursing. As a Registered Nurse and Clinical Supervisor in Urology at the University of Chicago Hospitals, she was known for her professionalism, kindness, and deep care for others. She retired in 2007.

In retirement, JoAnn and her husband moved to the Lago Vista senior living community, where they formed many cherished friendships. She found great joy in the camaraderie of community life—attending events at the clubhouse, playing cards, traveling, and sharing countless laughs with friends. She also enjoyed spending part of her winters in Sanibel, Florida.

JoAnn had a love for gardening and traveling, particularly river cruises where she delighted in learning about new countries and cultures. She was also a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, and as an angel, she will surely be cheering them on and doing her best to help bring another World Series championship to Chicago.

She generously gave her time as a volunteer at the Lockport Fish Food Pantry and continued to use her nursing skills to care for others through her work with VITAS Hospice.

JoAnn is survived by her loving daughter, Lisa (John), and granddaughters Abby and Olivia; and her son, Brian (Emily), and grandsons Joseph and Jake. She also found great joy in spending time with her beloved grand dogs, Teddy and Piper.

JoAnn was preceded in death by her younger sister, Shannon, who also passed away from pancreatic cancer.

JoAnn will be remembered most for her warm heart, her strength, and her unwavering love for her family. She touched many lives and will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, her family kindly requests that donations be made to Lightways Hospice in Joliet, which provided loving care in her final days, or to the Lustgarten Foundation , whose primary goal is to cure pancreatic cancer by funding the most promising research and fostering scientific collaboration. All donations support research to end pancreatic cancer.

Per her wishes, cremation rites have been respectfully addressed.

Memorial visitation will be held on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at St. John Vianney Catholic Church 401 Brassel St. Lockport IL, 60441 from 9:00am until time of Mass at 10:00am.