It is with tremendous heartbreak that we celebrate the all-too-brief life of Joanne Bizjak-Vincent. During the past several months, Joanne fought a valiant and exhaustive battle against lung cancer, passing away peacefully on October 5, 2021, at her home, comforted by family.
On May 22, 1960, Paul and Patsy Pahut welcomed Joanne, the baby of their six children. Raised in the Goosetown area of Anaconda, Joanne attended local parochial schools, graduating with Anaconda High School’s class of 1978. In June 1982, Joanne married Bob Bizjak; together, they bore three sons. As a result of Bob’s premature death in 1997, Joanne was thrust into an abrupt, unfair, and unimaginable position: that of single mom. Miraculously, Joanne was reintroduced to fellow Anaconda classmate and recent Alaska transplant, Bill Vincent. Willing to take on the responsibility of step-father to her sons, Bill filled the missing piece left by Bob’s unexpected death, allowing Joanne and her boys to, once again, feel whole. A parenting trailblazer in her own right and with the everlasting support from Bill, Joanne mothered three incredibly compassionate, hardworking, and confident sons. The couple married in 2012, and together they adopted five canine kids: Macy Michelle, Buddy T., Charlie Brown, Maddie Elizabeth, and Charley Mae.
Inspired by her mom’s passion for hair care, Joanne attended the Butte Academy of Beauty. Rather than adopting hair styling as her permanent career, Joanne gained employment as a Keno attendant at the Haufbrau, then served as a cashier and receiving clerk at Osco Drug, and, finally, worked as a bank teller at both First Montana and Glacier Banks. Throughout her tenure at each of these jobs, Joanne gained the respect of colleagues and customers alike, forming robust, ongoing friendships.
Blessed with a quick-witted sense of humor and charismatic energy, Joanne will be remembered for putting “five dollars in the machine,” hosting her annual Christmas Eve party, and spending time on the golf course. Passion for competition punctuated her life, as she served on and substituted for members of local Bunco, shuffleboard, and bowling teams. An avid lover of sports, Joanne was, unquestionably, the Viking’s and Yankee’s biggest arm-chair cheerleader, never exercising vocal restraint as she theatrically watched the teams compete from her kitchen. When not gaming on her iPad, Joanne could be found relaxing at her kitchen stool, enjoying a Miller Lite while watching television episodes of The Young and the Restless, Dark Shadows, or Andy Griffith, the latter an example of childhood nostalgia that she so greatly missed.
A much-beloved, well-known, and lifelong Anaconda resident, Joanne is survived by her husband, Bill; her sons: Bob, Jeremy, and Justin; her canine kids; her sister and brother-in-law, Patti (Bill) Sullivan; her sister, Carol Lovell; her brothers and sisters-in-law: John (Mary Jo) Pahut; Larry (Betsy) Pahut; and Tom (Kathy) Pahut; her brothers-in-law, Jim and Nick Vincent; and her sister-in-law, Sandra (Pudge) Johnson; as well as her cousins, nieces, and nephews too numerous to mention.
Preceding Joanne in death are her parents, Paul and Patsy; paternal grandparents, John and Caroline Pahut; maternal grandparents, John and Grace Monahan; first husband, Bob; brother-in-law, Tom Lovell; and sister-in-law, Barb Vincent.
Fiercely protective of her boys and terrified of dying, Joanne was not ready to go; she rebelled against it. In the end, Joanne’s body lost its natural ability to breathe, but she never lost her zest for life, her mischievous grin, her thirst for Diet Pepsi, or her ability to remember each loved one’s name who visited her during this nightmarish journey. Sto-lot, Mom.
Requiem mass will take place at Holy Family Catholic Church in Anaconda on Saturday, October 9, 2021, at 10:30 a.m., with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m.; a luncheon will follow. Masks are encouraged but not required.
In lieu of flowers, the family would invite donations to the donor’s favorite charity.
Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Joanne.
Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Joanne and her family.
Service Schedule
Visitation
9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Saturday October 9, 2021
Holy Family
217 West Pennsylvania
Anaconda, Montana 59711
Funeral Mass
10:30
Saturday October 9, 2021
Holy Family Catholic Church
217 West Pennsylvania
Anaconda, Montana 59711
Reception
Following Mass
Saturday October 9, 2021
Holy Family Catholic Church
217 West Pennsylvania
Anaconda, Montana 59711
Service Schedule
Visitation
9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Saturday October 9, 2021
Holy Family
217 West Pennsylvania
Anaconda, Montana 59711
Funeral Mass
10:30
Saturday October 9, 2021
Holy Family Catholic Church
217 West Pennsylvania
Anaconda, Montana 59711
Reception
Following Mass
Saturday October 9, 2021
Holy Family Catholic Church
217 West Pennsylvania
Anaconda, Montana 59711
Share
Jeannine Monahan says
Love you Joanne.
Helen McKeon says
Thoughts and Prayers to JoAnn’s Family
Lorraine Schimming Evans says
God Bless your soul Joanne fly with the angels .
M a ry Kay Jacobdon says
Words can’t describe how sorry I am for your loss. JoAnn’s family aand extended family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Nick vincent says
You are definitely going to be missed bye everyone who ever knew you,especially myself, you are one of God’s angles now and you will be a bright one. Save me a beer.love you from our whole family, you ❤ are really going to be missed!!!
Francie VandeKop says
Sending thoughts and prayers to the family. Fly high Joanne, you were a great person and will truly be missed by all who knew you. Always a smile on that face 💞
Tim mcdonald says
Joanne was a very kind woman who was very nice to everyone she met and will be missed by many, thoughts and prayers go out to her family..
Kathy Laslovich says
Wonderful tribute for an amazing woman. I will miss seeing her at Bunco with her battery operated warming jacket. She was the best! Kathy Laslovich
Nancy Moquist says
Joanne fly high my best golfing buddy you will truly be missed by the whole town – I’m sorry I won’t be there for your farewell tour but something tells me we will meet again- Kyle and I are saddened by your early departure- Love and prayers to your whole family
Bernadette Saunders says
May God hold you in the palm of His Hand cousin Joanne. R.I.P
Mariann Matosich says
Sweet Joanne. You are a great role model especially to those beautiful boys of yours.
Your strength is felt by all. We all now have another beautiful shining star watching over us. Love you forever and always. Mariann
Janice Blaz says
Terry and I express our sympathy to the entire family. What a sad loss to you all. A fun loving angel watching over us all.
Mary Mari-Jensen says
Dear Bob, Justin, Jeremy, and Bill: I am deeply saddened by your loss of your mother and wife. She was a true dynamo and I was privileged to call her my friend. She was so proud of you boys and her new life with Bill after the loss of your dad. I will be keeping you close in thought and prayer while holding the memories close in my heart. RIP Joanne❤️😇🙏💖🙏❤️
Mark and Jodie McDonald says
Jodie and I are truly sorry for Joanne’s passing. Each of Her family members and friends can take comfort knowing that Joanne’s faith in God, her zest for life and her love for them will go on forever. Rest In Peace Jo🙏
Judy & Darrell Grenfell says
So sorry to hear about Joanne- she was a dear classmate, sweet person that had a lot of love in her heart! She will me missed!! Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. Judy & Darrell Grenfell
April Jones says
Im so sorry to hear about Joanne’s passing. She was a wonderful person mother and friend. She will be deeply missed. My thoughts and prayers are go out to her family.❤
Laureen Hensley says
Hugs, prayers and healing energy to the family and Go Yankee’s Joanne! You will be missed! Luvaluv
Jackie Bock says
I will miss the music and Miller lights. So sorry for your loss to all of your family. Much love💕Jim & Jackie Bock
D Bahr says
The most beautiful obituary 🙂 Rest easy JoJo
Melanie and Bill Rasor says
To all of Joanne’s family: We are truly sorry for your loss! Continue to keep her vibrant spirit alive forever by sharing more wonderful, cherished memories of her!! The world was definitely a better place just because Joanne was in it!! May she Rest In Peace! Big hugs to all!!!
Melanie and Bill Rasor
Todd D Bartle says
Joanne was always a bright spot at family gatherings. Her warmth and humor made you feel right at home. My cousin, Bobby Joe, couldn’t have found a more spectacular person to marry. My very deepest sympathies to her husband and her boys.
Edith Fisher says
I am going to miss seeing this funny, beautiful lady. Rest In Paradise my friend! Until we meet again ❤
Francine McBride says
Prayers and deepest sympathy to all of our Montana family from your Ohio cousins.
Stacey Smith says
Joanne sorry I won’t be there today for your farewell. I may not be there physically but know you are on my mind and in my heart. I’m sorry you had to leave so soon….until we meet again. Love you my friend
Christina Clark says
I’m gonna miss you my friend ❣ Rest in peace 🙏
Joni Bizjak Fallgreen says
Bob, Jeremy and Justin, I am so sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. Please know that you and all of Joanne’s family are in my thoughts and prayers.
mary glista tarantino says
Prayers go out to the Family. Although I was able to communicate to her on Facebook. We did share things with pictures in our lives. I was shocked to read her news about her death at this early age from cancer.
Cedy. says
You were such a kind person. You never showed your pain and I never knew you were ill.
I always loved seeing your smiles Was always blessed to see you . You brightend my day. Always.
May the Lord comfort your dear family and friends.
Bill Vincent says
Its Been over 2 1/2 years now since Joanne’s Passing.
The boys and I miss you very much
Love You Honey