Joan Mary Dennis, 60, a resident of Mundelein, passed away June 3, 2016 at Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, IL. She was born October 5, 1955 in Milwaukee, WI to Jay and Nancy (nee: McCallum) Pastene. Joan is survived by her husband of 34 years, Jim, whom she wed on June 20, 1981 in Milwaukee, WI and lovingly renewed their vows on June 20, 2006 in Rapallo, Italy. Joan is also survived by her twin brother Jim (Mary Ann) Pastene of Portland, OR, her brother Bob (Leanne) Pastene of Naperville, IL, her nieces Evelyn, Lindsay, and Allison Pastene, and her nephews Ben and Jason Pastene. She was preceded in death by her parents. All are welcome to join in a Celebration of Joan’s Life on Sunday, July 17, 2016 from 2:00pm until 5:00pm at Hackney’s on Lake, 1514 E. Lake Ave. Glenview, IL 60025. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Orphans of the Storm Animal Shelter 2200 Riverwoods Rd. Deerfield, IL 60015 or log onto www.orphansofthestorm.org. For more information please call (847)223-8122 or log onto www.strangfuneral.org.
Joan's Guestbook can be accessed here:
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/jsonline/obituary.aspx?n=joan-mary-dennis&pid=180301079&fhid=24620
Peter Newberger
I am in total shock to hear of Joans sudden passing. She was very sweet, and will be missed.My deepest and sincerest Condolences to the Family
Sincerely,
Peter Newberger.
Karen A Sentz (Condit)
Unfortunately, I haven't seen Joan for a long time but she played a major role in my highschool and college memories. In fact, just a few days ago I was thinking about her as my husband and I celebrated our 39th anniversay. Joan stood up in my wedding one week after college graduation and those wedding pictures are sitting on my kitchen table right now. I reminisced with my husband saying Joan was always so upbeat and how I wish I lived closer to her. Building the NIcolet senior float in her driveway and hearing her laugh made everything more fun. My heart and prayers go out to her husband and family and all who loved her.
Bill Edwards
Kathy Schultz Raddatz best describes how I remember Joan. Indeed she was sweet, bubbly, loved to laugh - - and of course very bright. The same warmth radiates with twin brother Jim as I recall. As everyone has expressed, I too was very stunned to learn of this from Darcie and can't help but question why those among us are taken from us so early when yet there should be a lot of life and new chapters to still write. G-dspeed to twin brother Jim, family, loved ones and to those among us who were very close to Joan.
Darcie J Thiet (Elshoff)
Best Highschool memories of Joan...Biology Club canoe trips, trying out for drill team...yeah right..and building the float in her driveway.
Joan was so much fun to be with. The coolest thing I ever did was backpack with her in Europe in 1977. She had relatives in Italy and Scottland. I had relatives in Germany and people I knew in Amsterdam and Copenhagen. We even saw Rudolf Nureyev dance Romeo and Juliet in London. Joan was a delight to travel with, always smiling and laughing and enjoying life. We have seen each other over the years and she and Cris Mueller,Barb Grede, Julie Stahl,Sharon Parker and I had a great reunion in 2011. I will miss her dearly.
My heart goes out to her brothers Jim and Bob and husband Jim. What a great friend I had in Joan. I will miss her laugh...Joan had the greatest laugh. She always made me feel good when she would laugh at things I said.
Miss you, miss you, miss you Joan!
God bless all her friends and family.
Love, Darcie (Thiet) Elshoff
Marsha L Nelson (Kalscheur)
I am so sorry to hear about Joan's passing. We were childhood friends. I always admired her. I loved her parents too. Always smiling. I like to believe she is reunited with them.
Julie L Height (Lovestock)
I'm so shocked and saddened to hear about Joan. I have always been so grateful to her how kind and accepting and delightful she always was to everyone. My thoughts and prayers are for her family and friends as this surely is a very devastating loss of such a fine person who was always so loving even through the years we were just evolving and learning about life and not always realizing how our behavior impacted others - Joan always was a good and kind person.
Laura Zuckert
Joan (and Jim) moved in a few houses away from us when we were all four years old, and Joan became my best friend. We played together daily, walked to and from Green Tree school together thru 6th grade, and spent endless hours playing everything from “kick the can” to the Barbie Doll game. Her incredible parents treated me as one of their own.
More recently, Joan and her husband (also named Jim) had my husband and me over for a beautiful gourmet meal – as they had done many times before. As usual, we spent hours talking – and of course, laughing.
I can’t imagine my childhood without Joan, and I was looking forward to growing old with her.
Losing Joan's friendship, understanding, warmth, love, support - and laugh - is devastating and heartbreaking.
Denise D Dietrich (Feavel)
I met Joan at the start of high school and she quickly became one of my best friends. We shared the highs and lows of those years together and I was lucky to also share her family and their cottage a couple of summers. Since high school we remained in touch on and off and though sometimes many years spanned between connecting, there was never a hesitation that her friendship and enthusiasm ever faltered. We participated in different phases of our lives after college (sharing an apartment), dealing with our ailing parents and most recently she honored me by celebrating my mom’s life and passing just a year ago. I will miss reminiscing with her. I will just miss her.
Diane W [dd] Wick (Bayse)
The passing of JOAN is a heartbreaking tragedy. I have not seen her in decades but I remember her sparking eyes and warm smile. My heart breaks for her family.
Diane Gronik (Jacobsen)
What terrible and shocking news to hear of Joan's passing and a horrific loss for all her knew her. I have very fond, fun filled memories when I think of Joan. From many many breakfast gatherings at Big Boy before school started, to a trip to Michigan which involved a Ferry ride across Lake Michigan. It was surely a gift to know and be a part of Joan's life. Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers are with everyone during this very difficult time. Thank you, JOAN!