Obituary of Janie R. Okonski
A kind, loving, mother of five, momma to many, with a life full of zest. A pistol in her own nature, sometimes you never knew if she was joking, being sarcastic, or really providing some darn good advice. She would always follow it up with a smile, giggle, or ‘just kidding’ comment.
Janie R. Okonski left her family and friends to go home to pops on December 27, 2023. Janie was born on September 10, 1932, in Richards, Texas to Michael William and Mary Frances Baranowski. Janie was one of thirteen siblings. She spent much of her younger years working on the farm and caring for her younger siblings. Upon moving to the big city, Houston, Janie held several jobs, one being the elevator operator at the Shamrock hotel where she met John Wayne. She loved telling that story. She also did some modeling, one gig where she modeled a DeWalt table saw, with the caption in the ad of the newspaper stating, “it’s so simple, even a woman can run it”. She played softball on the Houston city league as a pitcher. Janie and Ed met at the Bill Mraz dance hall and as they say, the rest is history.
Janie had the privilege of being a stay-at-home mom while raising her five children, once all were school bound, she worked as a Food Dietician for the Aldine School District. Janie was a cub scout den leader where her older sons participated. She spent close to 30 years enjoying bowling on the Knights of Columbus #2917 bowling league and traveled to many different states with other bowlers to State and International Tournaments. Janie was a member of the Knights of Columbus #2917, Ladies Auxiliary where they organized various community events and raised money for charity. Everyone who knew her, knew where she would be on a Friday night, playing bingo at the Knights of Columbus #2917 hall. Janie also loved to play a game of 42 dominoes and a fun game of hot dice. Put on some music and you will normally find Janie dancing a good two step, polka, or waltz, or just pulling her solo dance moves and singing to some good tunes.
Janie is survived by sons, Sam Okonski and his wife Deborah, Greg Okonski and his wife Darlene and Brian Okonski, also her daughter Mary Frances Morrow and her husband Dave and daughter-in-law Pam Okonski. Grandchildren, Vanessa (Dylan), Nichole, Melissa (Andrew), Eddie III, Katye, Amanda (Jonathan), Nicole (Kevin), Connor, Brenda, (Sean), Josh (Kellie), Angela (Kolton), and Adylynn. Great grandchildren Aubrey, Hunter, Riddick Walton, Evelyn Scott, and Aleksander Edward Okonski Boho, Leo and Landon Jimenez, Trent Key, Taylor and Jason Hollin, Luke, Harper, and Hadlee Raska, Kaylee, Aimee, Lucille, and Eleanor Buford, Emmalee, Katelyn, David, and Grant Morrow, Austin Sweet, Bentley and Talon Kennedy and Bodhi, Kemri, Tayci Rackham.
Janie is also survived by her siblings, Theresa Hoffart, Bernice Baranowski, and Ann Young.
Janie was preceded in death by her parents Michael William and Mary Frances Baranowski, husband Edward E. Okonski Sr. and son Edward E. Okonski, Jr. Also, siblings, Johnny, Steve, Floyd, Max, and Tony Baranowski, Verna Marek, Frances Swatloski, Betty Spaniel, Mary D. Walker.
A viewing and visitation will begin at 5:00 p.m., with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m., on January 11, 2024, at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 607 East Whitney Street in Houston, Texas 77022.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on January 12, 2024, at Assumption Catholic Church, 901 Roselane St., in Houston, Texas 77037. The Rite of Committal will follow at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery, 6900 Lawndale Street in Houston, Texas 77024 at noon.
A special thanks goes out to family and friends of Janie Okonski, and the special nurses, aides and workers at Pines At Oakhurst in Spring, Texas and Oasis Hospice Care, Natalie and Judy.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made as a tribute gift in honor of Janie to the Alzheimer’s Association at this link. Or Knights of Columbus, #2917 and mail to 607 East Whitney Street in Houston, Texas 77022.
