Joan Mae Haufschild

Joan Mae Haufschild (nee Harrington) was born in Ridgeway, Wisconsin on June 29 th , 1930 to James and Marie (Jerovetz) Harrington. Joan was beloved by family and friends who admired her great sense of humor, warm heart and eternal optimism. A prolific reader and life-long learner, Joan was an excellent student and attended Edgewood High School of the Sacred Heart in Madison, WI. When she finished her education at University of Wisconsin/Whitewater with a teaching degree, she became one of the first college graduates from her little hometown.

She started her career teaching at West Allis High School in WI and after getting married and moving to Illinois, at Niles High School. She took some years away from teaching to raise her kids, but re- entered the workforce around 1980 teaching at Antioch, Libertyville and Adlai E. Stevenson High Schools in Illinois. Her area of expertise evolved from teaching typing, to keyboarding, to word processing, to intro to business using Macs—and she loved it and her students.

Joan lived her faith in kind words and deeds, never in judgment of others. She grew up across the street from St. Bridget’s Catholic church and faithfully lived her life in service to her family, church, community and students. She found comfort in praying the rosary daily, but also appreciated a good nun joke! Joan had a great laugh and scattered around her home were jokes, cards, pictures, prayers, inspirational quotes and a family favorite plaque that read, “God, grant me patience…RIGHT NOW!”

Joan was a parishioner at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Lake Zurich, IL for almost 50 years. She volunteered in many areas and after her husband, Lloyd passed away in 1999, took over from him the church’s Meals on Wheels program for many years.

Joan and Lloyd were married in 1959 for 39 years until Lloyd’s death and had three children: Lisa, Jim and Sue. The pair were introduced by Joan’s younger sister Rosie who married Lloyd’s older brother Bud. The two families, with cousins close in age, spent almost every holiday and many Wisconsin vacations together.

A wonderful role model for her three kids and six grandchildren, Joan modeled a rich life—a strong work ethic, intellectual curiosity, a great sense of humor and fun, gratitude and service to others. Joan treasured her family and extensive friend network. She loved playing bridge. She believed in education and always supported her loved ones in their academic and extra-curricular interests. She gave the best books as gifts. She used her iPhone to stay in close touch with everyone sending encouraging texts and congratulations and was known for mastering all the special effects — birthday greetings with fireworks and balloons, great GIFs and Facetimes with family in Texas until her final days.

Despite physical health challenges in her later years, Joan’s whip smart mind and positive attitude sustained her. She knew what was going on in the world. She was fiercely independent and survived the isolation of Covid without complaint and with gratitude. She braved it all watching her beloved sports teams (Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers if not betting against her sister Rosie), reading, soaking up the news and having an occasional shot of Bailey’s Irish Cream.

Joan is survived by her children Lisa, Jim (Sally) and Sue (Lowell), her six grandchildren Eric, Garrett, Ryan and Tracy Haufschild; Lauren and Claire Phillips; and her sister, Rosemary Haufschild and nieces and nephews.

Her kind, generous and optimistic spirit, resilience and courage, commitment to family, wonderful laugh, storytelling, grace and unconditional love are her legacy to all of us. She will be so deeply missed.

A Memorial visitation will be Saturday, September 17, 2022 from 10 AM until the memorial mass at 11 AM at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 33 S. Buesching Road, Lake Zurich. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Feeding America , P.O. Box 96749, Washington, D.C. 20090-6749 or to The Malala Fund Lockbox 11114,
P.O. Box 70280, Philadelphia, PA 19176-0280.