Johanna Markiewicz, 85, of Valley View, Ohio, passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by those she loved.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, on August 1, 1941, Johanna was the daughter of the late Josephine (Zychowski) and John Markiewicz.

She leaves behind her brother, David Markiewicz of Maple Heights; her daughter, Constance “Connie” Benko of Strongsville; her grandchildren, Christina (Crystal) Lemmer, Jason (Megan) Kozora, Andrew (Tara) Kozora, and Johnathan (Matthew) Benko; as well as many other beloved family members and friends. Among those relationships especially dear to Johanna was the close bond she shared with her cousin, William “Bill” Zychowski.

Johanna spent part of her early adult life traveling and living abroad with her then-husband who served in the military. Their travels took them to several foreign homes, including Turkey, a chapter of her life she remembered with happiness as well as her time living in Germany.

Eventually, Johanna returned to the Cleveland area, she always called home and began a career with Ohio Bell. During those years, she was also a member of the SELREC Signing Group, taking the stage and performing for live audiences with the special sparkle those who knew her will remember.

Retirement, however, did not mean slowing down for Johanna. In many ways, that was when she really got to work.

She became an active member of the Valley View Village Seniors Club, organizing bus trips, bake sales, events, and countless other activities. She took great pride in being involved in her community and bringing people together. Johanna was also a proud member of the St Mary’s Polish National Church located in Parma.

But nowhere was Johanna's talent for bringing people together more apparent than with her family.

For many years, she organized the family's annual reunion and worked tirelessly to keep generations of relatives connected. The holidays were especially important to her, and she had a remarkable ability to make them memorable for everyone around her.

Johanna was proud of her family's Polish heritage and loved sharing the foods and traditions that came with it. Pierogi, kielbasa, chicken paprikash, and treasured family recipes were more than meals in her home. They were another way of passing family history from one generation to the next.

Anyone who knew Johanna also knew that she was extraordinarily organized. Everything had its place, every detail had been considered, and every event had a plan. Nothing was overlooked.

That attention to detail was simply part of who she was, particularly when she was doing something for the people she loved.

Family was extraordinarily important to Johanna, but her definition of family extended well beyond blood. She treasured the chosen family she gathered throughout her life, including her lifelong friend, Dottie Ann Kipp, whose friendship with Johanna began when they were in seventh grade and endured for the rest of her life.

Johanna spent her final days where she wanted to be: at home, surrounded and cared for by those she loved. She leaves behind a family she worked for decades to keep connected, countless memories and traditions, and a legacy that will live on every time those she loved gather around a table together.

Family and friends may call at the FERFOLIA FUNERAL HOME, 356 W. AURORA RD (RTE. 82), SAGAMORE HILLS, WEDNESDAY, FOR VISITATION, 4-8 PM. All are asked to meet at St. Mary’s Polish National Catholic Church, 5375 Broadview Rd, Parma, 44134, Thursday, for a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 am. Entombment at Brooklyn Heights Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to St. Mary’s Polish National Catholic Church.