Jeanne Frances DeChantel Pyzdrowski

Pyzdrowski, Jeanne Frances DeChantel (nee Smith) Age 92, of Minnetonka, MN completed her life's journey and now resides in Heaven as a result of her graceful passing on Memorial Day, May 26, 2014. Jeanne was a loving mother of 11 children, grandmother of 34, and great-grandmother of 2 beautiful toddlers. Jeanne remained selfless during life's every moment, epitomizing women of the 'Greatest Generation'. A devout Catholic, Jeanne loved adventure and family celebrations. In addition to the selflessness she exhibited in motherhood, Jeanne earned her pilot's solo certification as a result of flying lessons from her husband at Kenny Scholter Airport in Butler, PA, attended Robert Morris Business College, volunteered for the American Red Cross Nurses Aid Corps during WWII, a former member of Benilde - St Margaret's Women's Club, an election judge in Minnesota, and was an accomplished vice-president of the family business, Sacred Design Associates. Born in Pittsburgh, PA on December 22, 1921, Jeanne attended Saint Augustine and Saint John the Baptist Elementary Schools; Schenley High School in Lawrenceville, PA and, as Senior Class Secretary, met her husband-to-be, Henry, who was senior class president at the time. Married October 4th, 1947, Henry and Jeanne resided in Pittsburgh, PA, Los Angeles, CA, Bend, OR, and Minnetonka, MN. They resided in their home in Minnetonka for fifty-one years. Jeanne was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Anthony Pyzdrowski, Sr, World War II Veteran Navy Pilot (Lieutenant Commander, USNR); her eldest son, Henry A. Pyzdrowski, Jr, (Major, US Marine Corps 'Semper Fi') Vietnam Veteran; granddaughter Stephanie Ann Fraune; brother Elmer Joseph 'Bud' Smith, World War II Veteran PT Boat Captain (Lieutenant Commander, USNR); and parents Loretta Ann (Wallisch) and Elmer Nicholas Smith. Jeanne is survived by children Jeanne (John) Fraune; Michael (Joan) Pyzdrowski; Patricia (Thomas) Seeler; Robert (Sue) Pyzdrowski; Paul (Karen) Pyzdrowski; John (Deborah) Pyzdrowski (Lieutenant Colonel, USAF); Mary Anne (John) Pickering, R.N.; Kathryn Pyzdrowski, M.D. (Thomas Nelson, M.D), Margaret Pyzdrowski (Michael Brown), Caroline (Jeffrey) Gossen; her loving sister Catherine Lucille Fox of Orchard Lake, MI, and brother Robert Fulton Smith of Canonsburg, PA, as well as many beloved nieces, nephews and dear friends. Jeanne truly loved her family, grandchildren, and relatives, and will be remembered dearly for her graciousness, tenderness and loving care. She was an avid crossword puzzle solver, recognized as Scrabble champion of the family, and enjoyed gardening, sports, and occasional Irish single malt whiskey. Jeanne often said her most important priorities in life were faith in God, family, country and love, with the greatest of these being love. Jeanne, in her own words, has "now returned to the blue skies, fair winds, and white clouds, and be remembered in so many kind ways." An eternal optimist, Mom greeted each day with "Good morning God, good morning sun, good morning flowers." We will always remember the delicate balance she provided all of us in life and will forever remember "Parting is such sweet sorrow, so until we meet the 'morrow." Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, June 10, 2014, 10:00 AM at St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church, 1310 Mainstreet, Hopkins, MN 55343. Interment at 2:00 PM at Fort Snelling Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Saint Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church, Hopkins MN; Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of Minneapolis-Saint Paul (www.archspm.org); or Sharing and Caring Hands of Minneapolis (info@sharingandcaringhands.org).

Tributes

Jeanne Frances DeChantel Pyzdrowski

May 26, 2014

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