Hartford Courant:
Jan 17 2006

JoAnna B. Chmielecki, 66, of Rockville, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt cousin and friend ended her journey here on earth on Sunday, (January 15, 2006) surrounded by her loving family at Manchester Memorial Hospital.

Born in St. Albans, VT, she was the daughter of the late Charles Francis Barkyoumb and Emma Gilbeau. JoAnna resided in Rockville for the past 41 years.

Mrs. Chmielecki was a homemaker and also worked at Vernon Center Middle School as a cafeteria worker for 15 years before her retirement. She was a loving foster mother to many and a very "special" aunt to nieces, nephews. She was a devoted fan of UCONN Women's Basketball. She and her husband of 44 years, David A. Chmielecki, raised nine children, JoAnna Ridzon and her husband, William of Vernon, Davida Ridzon and her husband, Jeffrey of Tolland, Julie Chmielecki of Meriden, Darcey Gardner and her fiance, James Space of Rockville, Janelle Marella and her husband Paul of Ellington, David Chmielecki, II and Cassandra Danio of West Hartford, Thomas Chmielecki and Natasha Finn of East Hartford, Joseph and Sara Chmielecki of Rockville and Meggie Chmielecki of Rockville. She also leaves her beloved and cherished grandchildren, Jenny, Edward and Emma Ridzon, Lacey and Jesse Gallison, AIyssa and Giannina Chmielecki-Callahan, David and Nicholas Gardner, Nicole, Alexandra and Madison Marella, David Soto and Taliya Chmielecki and their mom, Wanda Soto, Tristan Chmielecki, Michael Deane, Ryan and Eric Chmielecki, Daryl and Anthony Ridzon and a special family friend, Pauline Aldrich. Also her loving pets Mitzy and George. JoAnna also leaves behind her sister and best friend, Marlene Carney and a brother Wilbur Barkyoumb. JoAnna was predeceased by 12 other brothers and sisters. JoAnna also leaves four sisters-in-law, Josephine Brightman, Helen Andrews and Ted Kiejna, Barbara and Ralph Dziadul and Mabel and Norman Coffman, and four brothers-in- law, Lucian and Aurora Chmielecki Carl and Grace Chmielecki, Richard and Fern Chmielecki and Henry Chmielecki.

The family sends special thanks to Dr. Michael Reale of Davis, Posteraro & Wasser and the entire staff at the DeQuattro Community Cancer Centers in Manchester and Vernon.

Visiting hours will be held from 4-8 p.m. on Wednesday, January 18 at Burke-Fortin Funeral Home, 76 Prospect Street, Rockville.

A funeral service will be held Thursday, January 19, at 11 a.m. at Union Congregational Church, 3 Elm Street, Rockville. Burial will follow at Valley Falls Cemetery, Valley Falls Road, Vernon.

Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society and Hockanum Valley Community Council, Inc. Burke-Fortin Funeral Home, Rockville has care of arrangements.