Joann Faenzi Wilson

Joann Faenzi Wilson

Joann Faenzi Wilson, 91, passed away peacefully on the first day of Spring, March 21, surrounded by her family.

Joann was born and lived her whole life in Indianapolis. She was the daughter of Italian immigrants, Otto and Olga Faenzi. The family lived first in the Holy Rosary Parish, and then in the Little Flower Parish. She was the youngest of five children: Mary (William), Alexander (Marvis), George (Sheila), and Louis (Greta).

She married Bob Wilson in 1958, and they raised four sons. To give their boys a place to fish, hunt, and play, they purchased a cabin near Greencastle, Indiana, which continues to be cherished and enjoyed by the family. An avid bird watcher, Joann spent many Spring and Summer seasons surrounded by nature in her peaceful “home away from home”.

Her husband preceded her in death in 1991. Joann then embarked on many travels, including to Scotland, but was especially drawn to her ancestral homeland of Italy. She traveled there with her sons, Dan and Scott, and her daughter-in-law, Madeline. Her niece, Carol Faenzi (Lloyd), was her enthusiastic and frequent traveling companion to Italy and other far-flung destinations for twenty-five years.

Reconnecting with family in Italy was very important to her, and the ties with her Italian relatives have resulted in lasting bonds being created for posterity. She was passionate about her Italian heritage and culture, including cooking and listening to Italian Opera. She was a long-time member of the Italian Heritage Society of Indiana.

She graduated from St. Mary’s Academy and worked at the Indiana Bell Telephone Company, but then found her vocation as a teacher, where she touched many lives. For eleven years, she worked at the Learning Tree Daycare Center, then became a Director of Religious Education at St. Simon’s Parish, followed by serving as a coordinator of Catechist Formation at the Holy Spirit Parish. She also volunteered as a spiritual caregiver in the Cancer Unit of St. Francis Hospital.

She was known as “Aunt Joann” to an intimate circle of younger women who came to love her and cherish her company. She had a rare gift of making people feel they were truly being listened to and understood. She was curious by nature and had a wonderful sense of humor.
Joann was a devout Catholic and very interested in studying and discussing spiritual matters. Her favorite poetry books included those by Rumi, Mary Oliver, and John O’Donahue. She held an open mind, and everyone in her life felt her unconditional love.

Joann is survived by her four devoted sons: Daniel, Anthony, Ronald (Madeline), and Scott. She has six grandchildren who adored her: Derek (Rachel), Chelsea (Oscar), Caitlin (Zachary), Alexia (Micah), Taylor (Tyler), and Paige (Tyler). She has ten great-grandchildren, all of whom visited with her in her final weeks of life: Kailey, Luke, Easton, Emersyn, Noah, Hunter, Mila, Everett, Adelia, and Brooks.

Her memory also lives on in her many surviving nieces and nephews, as well as cousins who live in Indiana and in Italy.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, March 26th, from 5:00 – 7:30 p.m., at the O’Riley Branson Funeral Service & Crematory, 6107 South East Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46227. A funeral mass will take place on Friday, March 27th, at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church at 89 N. 17th Avenue in Beech Grove, starting at 11:30 a.m.

Please visit www.ORileyBranson.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.

Joann requested that those who wish to remember her make a donation in her name to any of the following organizations: The FSHD Society, a division of the Muscular Dystrophy Association (fshdsociety.org), The Italian Heritage Society of Indiana (italianheritage.org), or the Sisters of St. Francis Retirement Fund in Oldenburg, Indiana (oldenburgfranciscans.org).