Warren - Joan M. "Joni" Sawayda, 77, passed away peacefully with her children at her side Monday, August 25, 2014 at the Hospice House in Poland after a long battle with breast cancer. She was born July 2, 1937 in Kinsman, Ohio the daughter of Stefan and Maria Panak. She was a graduate of Badger High School and also graduated from Youngstown State University as an RN. Joni retired in 1995 after 10 years as a nurse at Shepherd of the Valley Nursing Home in Niles. She had previously worked at G.E. and Packard Electric in Warren. She was a member of St. William Church, the Women's Guild and the Encore Group. Joni enjoyed traveling, and watching the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pirates. But what she enjoyed the most were her children and grandchildren. She is survived by her husband Michael A. Sawayda, whom she married August 10, 1957, children Michael A. "Mickey" Sawayda, Jr. of Niles, Cynthia Joan Harrow of Nashville, TN., and Sandra (Robert) Polansky of Lordstown, seven grandchildren, one great grandchild, brothers Frank (Essie) Panak of Dayton, Philip (Dale) Panak of Kinsman, and sisters Agnes Slywczak of Warren, Irene (John) Sawayda of Warren, Helen (Kenneth) Flannery of Bazetta, Nancy (Vollne) Kwallek of Austin, TX, Rosalee Weischedel and Patricia (Ronald) Horning of Eugene, Oregon and a sister-in-law Jean Panak of Kinsman . She is preceded in death by her parents, brothers Joseph, Albert, Wendell and Mathew Panak, and a sister Anne Kozak. Family and friends may call Wednesday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Peter Rossi & Son Memorial Chapel in Warren and Thursday from 9:30 to 10:00 a.m. at St. William Church in Champion. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday at 10:00 a.m. at St. William Church in Champion with Rev. Michael D. Balash officiating. Burial will be in All Souls Cemetery in Bazetta. Memorial contributions may be made in Joan's name to Hospice House of the Valley, 9803 Sharrott Road, Poland, Ohio 44514 or for a mass at St. William Church. Family and friends may visit www.peterrossiandsonfh.com to view this obituary, sign the guest book, and send condolences to the Sawayda famil