Obituary for JoAnn Nacarato
JoAnn Nacarato
Saginaw, Michigan
Loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister passed Friday, November 11, 2022 at her home surrounded by her family. Age 80 years. Daughter of the late Joseph and Tekla (Wachowicz) Galovics, JoAnn was born April 20, 1942 in Saginaw, Michigan. She was married to James Nacarato, her loving husband of 58 years, on January 18, 1964. He survives her. She served as a pastoral minister for many years at St. Peter and Paul, St. Stephen’s and St. Mary Cathedral. JoAnn also served as a Procurator for the Diocese of Saginaw helping many through the process of annulment. She had many interests including traveling, playing cards with her club ladies, creating pysanky eggs, entertaining friends and family and especially spending time at her cottage in Au Gres. Her most valued interests were ministering to the community of Saginaw. JoAnn devoted her life to serving, mentoring and tending to the needs of others. She made it her life mission to be an ambassador of the poor by teaching others the importance of living a selfless life and following in the words of Jesus. She was a member of The Daughters of Charity, was a long-time member of the board of the East Side Soup Kitchen, founding member of the Y.E.S. program, Backdoor Ministry and Ezekiel project. She will forever be remembered as an epitome of strength, love, hope and charity.
Surviving to cherish her memory are her husband Jim, three daughters and two sons, Celia and Matt Sullivan, Laura Stoeckel, Sam Nacarato, Stephen and Kara Nacarato, and Cara and Kurt Schade; 12 grandchildren, Briana (Mike) Kessler, Megan (Alan) Vennix, Ryan (Karissa) Sullivan, Kayla Stoeckel, Amanda Stoeckel, Dominic Nacarato, Alexandra Nacarato, Emily Walters, Jenna Walters, Avery Nacarato, Lydia Schade and Ian Schade; two great-granddaughters, Johana and Clara; one brother, James Galovics; and many lifelong friends. JoAnn was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Tekla Galovics and one brother, Larry Galovics.
Funeral Liturgy will take place 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 18, 2022 at St. Dominic Parish, Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 4735 W. Michigan Ave., Saginaw. Rev. Fr. John S. Sarge and Rev. Fr. James R. Carlson will officiate with burial in St. Andrew Cemetery. Friends may visit at The Snow Funeral Home, 3775 N. Center Rd. (between Shattuck and McCarty), where the family will be present on Thursday from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00pm and at the church on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass. A Vigil Service, led by Rev. Fr. Steven Gavit, will take place 6:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials to St. Dominic Parish, The Mustard Seed or East Side Soup Kitchen.
Saginaw, Michigan
Loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister passed Friday, November 11, 2022 at her home surrounded by her family. Age 80 years. Daughter of the late Joseph and Tekla (Wachowicz) Galovics, JoAnn was born April 20, 1942 in Saginaw, Michigan. She was married to James Nacarato, her loving husband of 58 years, on January 18, 1964. He survives her. She served as a pastoral minister for many years at St. Peter and Paul, St. Stephen’s and St. Mary Cathedral. JoAnn also served as a Procurator for the Diocese of Saginaw helping many through the process of annulment. She had many interests including traveling, playing cards with her club ladies, creating pysanky eggs, entertaining friends and family and especially spending time at her cottage in Au Gres. Her most valued interests were ministering to the community of Saginaw. JoAnn devoted her life to serving, mentoring and tending to the needs of others. She made it her life mission to be an ambassador of the poor by teaching others the importance of living a selfless life and following in the words of Jesus. She was a member of The Daughters of Charity, was a long-time member of the board of the East Side Soup Kitchen, founding member of the Y.E.S. program, Backdoor Ministry and Ezekiel project. She will forever be remembered as an epitome of strength, love, hope and charity.
Surviving to cherish her memory are her husband Jim, three daughters and two sons, Celia and Matt Sullivan, Laura Stoeckel, Sam Nacarato, Stephen and Kara Nacarato, and Cara and Kurt Schade; 12 grandchildren, Briana (Mike) Kessler, Megan (Alan) Vennix, Ryan (Karissa) Sullivan, Kayla Stoeckel, Amanda Stoeckel, Dominic Nacarato, Alexandra Nacarato, Emily Walters, Jenna Walters, Avery Nacarato, Lydia Schade and Ian Schade; two great-granddaughters, Johana and Clara; one brother, James Galovics; and many lifelong friends. JoAnn was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Tekla Galovics and one brother, Larry Galovics.
Funeral Liturgy will take place 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 18, 2022 at St. Dominic Parish, Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 4735 W. Michigan Ave., Saginaw. Rev. Fr. John S. Sarge and Rev. Fr. James R. Carlson will officiate with burial in St. Andrew Cemetery. Friends may visit at The Snow Funeral Home, 3775 N. Center Rd. (between Shattuck and McCarty), where the family will be present on Thursday from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00pm and at the church on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass. A Vigil Service, led by Rev. Fr. Steven Gavit, will take place 6:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials to St. Dominic Parish, The Mustard Seed or East Side Soup Kitchen.