JoAnn Brand - 78

Frankfort, Illinois

With devastating sadness, I reluctantly inform you of the passing of my wife, JoAnn Brand, nee Roman, after a brave multi-year battle with dementia, a truly hateful malady.

JoAnn was the love of my life, my wife of 57 years, faithful companion, best friend, and mother of our incredible daughters, Erin of Lockport, and Jennifer of Evanston IL.

We first met April 21, 1965 via a blind date arranged by my sister's friends, who also were classmates of JoAnn.

Jo was the much loved daughter of Andrew R. and Josephine (nee Marchioretto) Roman of Roseland, IL.  I was embraced by a large, extended Italian family known, as "The Irisher" by her uncles, and won over by their beautiful, vivacious daughter ... combined with a steady supply of Nona Marchioretto's legendary homemade raviolis.

JoAnn graduated from St. Anthony parish grammar school in Roseland, Mother of Sorrows high school in Blue Island (1965), and South Chicago Community Hospital School of Nursing (1968).

While raising our daughters, she was a faithful office volunteer at St. Emeric's grade school in Country Club Hills, IL.  Later, with the girls in high school and the University of Illinois, she was a devoted staff member of 10 years at the Jewish Comminity center of Flossmoor, IL

Nearly three decades ago, she realized a personal dream (no doubt spawned by her grandfather Giuseppi's fond memories of northern Italy) as we built a home on what is now wooded acreage in Green Garden Township south of Frankfort.  There, a city girl readily adapted to the challenges of a more rural lifestyle, along with her faithful canine companion, Tosca, and all manner of her beloved furred and feathered wild "critters."

JoAnn was intellectually curious about all manner of things and a faithful supporter of a variety of charities. But, above all, along with her father, a devoted opera fan.  Nothing pleased the two of them more than a hearty meal, a couple of glasses of wine  at the Italian Village, followed by a live performance at the Lyric Opera.  This Irisher was a most willing companion.

On March 2, 2026 she peacefully crossed over at Lightways Hospice in Joliet IL.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.