Joan Loesch

Joan D. Loesch, aged 95, passed away peacefully on January 17, 2022, surrounded by her loving
family.

Joan was born on May 7, 1926 in Columbus Ohio to Emilio and Celia (Churches) Della Flora. She
graduated from St. Ursula Academy and Mary Manse College in Toledo and achieved a Masters
of Social Work degree at St. Louis University where she was inducted into Alpha Sigma Nu
honor society. It was at SLU that she met Richard B. Loesch and the couple married on
September 5, 1953. They had four children and made homes in four different states before
settling in Glen Ellyn, Illinois in 1969.

Joan had a strong faith and was very active in St. Petronille Parish throughout the years,
including serving two terms as Regent for Catholic Daughters, leading the Prayer Connection for
20 years and taking on many roles with the Christian Service Commission. She joined a Small
Christian Community in 1995, originally organized by St. Petronille. The group continues to
meet and was a source of many treasured friendships. Joan was named the St. Petronille
Woman of the year in 2006.

A lifelong learner, Joan often found ways to turn her talents and interests into opportunities to
help others. She was an avid knitter and joined a group of women who knitted blankets for
patients at Central DuPage Hospital, where she also volunteered visiting patients and was a
Legacy Foundation contributor. Her deep love of reading led her to serve with the Friends of
the Library. She was a member of the Glen Ellyn Daisy Garden Club and the Wheaton/Glen
Ellyn Art Institute Study Group and always enjoyed their outings into Chicago.
Joan’s life of faith and service was an inspiration to many, especially to her children and
grandchildren. She delighted in spending time with her family and was always there for
important moments, big and small.

Joan was preceded in death by her beloved husband Richard and is survived by her devoted
children, John (Kim Messina), of Villa Park, IL, Teresa (Thomas) Ratcliffe of Coppell, TX, Joseph
(Mindy Habecker) of Mount Horeb, WI, and Margaret (James) Meyers of Leawood, KS, her
cherished grandchildren, Jessica (Trent) Calvo, Daniel (Hailee) Ratcliffe, Zachary (Casey)
Ratcliffe, Andrew Meyers and Stephanie Meyers and her treasured great grandchildren, Colton
and Kennedy Calvo.

Visitation will be Saturday, January 29 th at 10:00 am at St. Petronille Catholic Church, 420
Glenwood Ave, Glen Ellyn, IL with a funeral Mass following at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in Joan’s honor to DuPage Pads (Public Action to Deliver Shelter) 

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