Joann L. Evan

Joann (Koren) Evan, 80

 Poland…Joann (Koren) Evan, 80, of Poland, died peacefully, surrounded by the loving touch of her children, grandchildren and sisters on April 25, 2024, at St Elizabeth Health Center in Boardman, Ohio.

Joann Koren was born on December 13, 1943 in Poland Mines, PA to Stephen and Bertha (Podolinski) Koren. The family moved to Struthers, OH when she was young. She attended Holy Trinity Elementary School and went on to graduate from Struthers High School in 1961. She married John in 1963, and shortly thereafter, started their family.

Joann will be forever remembered as a selfless caretaker; first, to her children, then parents and finally, to her grandchildren and husband. She was a proud mother/grandmother. Her husband John often described her as a lioness, as she was always ready to protect her cubs. She took great pride in her family. Her children always had pressed uniforms, packed lunches and a hot meal for dinner. She volunteered countless hours at Byzantine Catholic Central School, serving as Homeroom Mom and helping in the lunchroom.

Joann was a fantastic cook and baker. Her apple pie, raspberry tarts, nut horns, meatloaf and Slovak dishes were second to none. In her later years, she was known for dropping in to see her grandkids with “Grandmas Famous (Pillsbury) chocolate chip cookies”.

Joann enjoyed gambling. She and John took numerous trips to casinos throughout the US, Canada and the Bahamas. She would often head “down the river” to Mountaineer or to Hollywood Casino, returning home to share her winnings with her grandchildren.

She was a member of St. Michael’s Byzantine Catholic Church in Campbell, Ohio, the Struthers chapter of the Knights of Columbus, and spent many years on the ladies golf league at Tanglewood.

She is survived by her sisters MaryJane (James) Penman, Judy (Robert) Davis and Susan (Ronald)Garchar; her children, Deborah (Dr. Nicholas) Kreatsoulas, John (Nurit) Evan, Dr. Stephen (Debra) Evan, Mark Evan and Dr. Kristen (Gregory) Hymes; and 18 grandchildren, Ariel (fiancé Andrew Paleno), Dr. Daniel (Dr. Amythest Gauthier), Alyssa (Dr. Dillon Magalski), Shane (Brooke Bada), David, Tyler (Fiancée Hannah Higgins), Nicolette, Jenna (fiancé Gray Toth), Madeline, Juliana, Bethany, Nathan, Joshua, Mark, Lauren, Gregory, Derek and Matthew. And great grandchildren Dean and Alexios Kreatsoulas, Stella and Lucy Magalski and John (JJ) Evan.

She is preceded in death by her husband, John Evan, parents Stephen and Bertha (Podolinski) Koren, brothers Stephen, Robert, John and William Koren.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, May 3, 2024 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., at Wasko Funeral Home in Campbell; a Byzantine memorial service will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, May 4, 2024 at 10:00 a.m., with a liturgy to follow at St. Michael’s Byzantine Catholic Church in Campbell at 10:30 a.m.

The family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to her wonderful doctors and nurses at St. Elizabeth Hospital; especially Heather, Jay and Will, who helped to make her last days dignified and comfortable.

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