Janice Popovich 1939-2020

She is survived by her husband of more than 60 years, Jacob “Jack” Popovich Sr.; her four children, John (Lori) Popovich, Jack Jr. (Amy) Popovich, JanMarie (Arwen) Love and Justine (Tim) Popovich. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Nicole (Jason) Dill, Hayley (Scott) Fultz, Steve Popovich, Nick Popovich, Xander Stokes and Imani Love; great-grandchildren, Evelyn Fultz, Vera Dill and Rosie Dill; her sister, Annie Switka; cousin, Rita Roncone; as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John Laczko and Katherine (Katie) Laczko, and her brother, John (Evelyn) Laczko.

Janice was born Sept. 1, 1939, in Klune, Pa., but spent almost all of the first 62 years of her life in Youngstown, until she moved to Columbus in 2001 to be closer to her children and grandchildren.

She met her beloved husband while he played piano in various bands. To her final days, she enjoyed nothing more than listening to him play for her, which he did often.

She worked as a homemaker and medical secretary for Dr. Bertrum Katz. She was active in her church for many years, serving on many committees, including the church festival, where she created beautiful artwork and advertising for the event.

She graduated from Youngstown South High School in 1957, where she was voted most humorous. Everyone who knew Janice loved her outstanding sense of humor; she was always cracking a joke and making everyone around her happy. She could light up a room when she wanted, but was always the best and most empathetic listener. She was the best friend of many, many people in her family and among her friends, whether in the church or the neighborhood in Boardman.

She loved spending time with her children at the local swimming pool, at home and at many family gatherings with her mother, her siblings and their children. She loved dancing, whether “jitterbug-style” with her husband or Hungarian style with her sister or cousin, Rita. She never missed a Hungarian picnic at St. Stephen Church in Youngstown. She was a great artist. Her over 30 oil and watercolor paintings hang proudly in the homes of her children, grandchildren and friends all over.

She lives on in our memories and through her paintings. There will be a service held at a later date, likely in spring or summer 2021.

In lieu of flowers, please send any desired contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association, https://www.alz.org/. Arrangements by Schoedinger Northwest. For more information go to: https://www.schoedinger .com/obituaries/Janice-Popovich/.

(special notice)