Joanne Marie Sydlowski

Joanne Marie Sydlowski, of Brookfield, Ohio, passed away on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, after a long and hard-fought battle with cancer. She was 82 years old.

Joanne was born on June 5, 1942, to Dorothy (Popovich) and Fred Bulik, in Sharon, Pennsylvania. Growing up in Hermitage, she was the elder sister to Fred Bulik, Jr. and graduated from Hickory High School with the class of 1960.

Just one year later, on May 17, 1961, Joanne married her life partner and soulmate, James Sydlowski, beginning her life as a proud and active homemaker.

Joanne and Jim raised four boys who kept them very busy over the years with Joanne taking a prominent role in her sons’ activities. She was deeply involved with the Brookfield High School Band Boosters and the Brookfield Football Mothers’ organization during the time her sons were in school. Joanne also served as an elected member of the Brookfield Board of Education for 16 years, dedicating 10 of those years in the offices of President and Vice-President. She also spent several years on the school board of the Trumbull Career and Technical Center. Her time as a member of these school boards was incredibly meaningful and fulfilling to her. Joanne is still known today for her investment in the education and lives of students many years later.

One of Joanne’s proudest accomplishments was her 52-year commitment to the Masury-Brookfield Women’s Club. During her tenure, she held many offices and spent countless hours in service work with MBWC. Joanne was awarded the Ohio Blue Book of Distinguished Women Award by the General Federation of Women’s Clubs in 2022 to recognize her outstanding work throughout her membership years.

Joanne was a long-time member of St. Bernadette Catholic Church in Masury, Ohio, and later St. Thomas the Apostle in Vienna, Ohio. She held an active role in many church activities and spent many years on the Parish Council. She was known as a woman of great faith and her absence will be felt amongst her church family.

Joanne enjoyed traveling and kept many photo albums to document her adventures. She and her mother took several bus trips over the years, and Joanne also traveled to Europe with Brookfield High School’s Foreign Language Club. These trips allowed her to make wonderful memories as well as lifelong friendships. Joanne also enjoyed spending time with her husband while playing the slots at Mountaineer and Hollywood Casinos.

Surviving Joanne is her husband of 63 years, James Sydlowski, who deeply feels her loss. Additionally, her son, Jamie Sydlowski, daughter-in-law, Kristi, and granddaughter, Dana Sydlowski; her son, Stephen Sydlowski, daughter-in-law, Mindy, and granddaughters, Julie (Daryn) Fitz and Megan Nicholson (Ben Kirk); her son, John Sydlowski; and her daughter-in-law, Melissa Sydlowski, and grandson, Mitchell Sydlowski. Also surviving is a great-granddaughter, Alice Isovitsch; and a great-grandson, Nolan Fitz. Her brother; Fred (Jackie) Bulik; and brother-in-law, Fred (Sandy) Sydlowski; as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive.

Joanne is preceded in death by her parents; and her eldest son, Mark James Sydlowski.

Friends and family are invited for a time of gathering and remembrance from 3:00-6:00 PM, on Thursday, January 16, 2025, with the funeral to immediately follow beginning at 6:00 PM, at Briceland Funeral Service, LLC, 379 State Route 7, SE, Brookfield, Ohio.

Memorial donations can be made to the Mark J. Sydlowski Memorial Scholarship Fund in care of the funeral home.

Expressions of sympathy can be left for the family at: www.bricelandfuneralservice.com