Joanne E. Garbic

Joanne “Jody” Elizabeth Garbic, 77, formerly of Green Valley, AZ and Hickory Road, St. Marys, PA, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 at the Casey House in Rockville, MD after a long battle with cancer.

Jody was born September 8, 1946, in St. Marys, daughter of James and Jane (Fox) Schloder.  She was a graduate of Elk County Christian High School, class of 1964, continued her education at the Christian College in Missouri, and was later employed by the St. Marys Area School District.

On June 17, 1968, Jody married Peter G. Garbic. They lovingly raised two sons, Jason and Peter.  Jody made many lifelong friends in St. Marys and enjoyed hosting and attending family parties and gatherings. In 2008, Pete and Jody moved to Green Valley, AZ.  Jody enjoyed the warm weather, taking her dogs to the local dog park, and volunteering at the Humane Society.  In 2021, Jody moved to Rockville, MD to be closer to her two loving grandchildren, Katherine and Jonathan.  She adored her grandchildren! She took them to countless breakfasts and showered them with gifts and love, in return they provided her with laughter, joy, hugs, and many loving moments.

Jody is survived by her son and his wife, Jason and Veronica, two grandchildren, Jonathan and Katherine, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, William and Justine McCafferty, her aunt, Helene Burdick, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Jody was preceded in death by her parents, James and Jane, her son, Peter James in 1990, her husband, Peter Gary in 2010, her brother, James Schloder Jr., her father-in-law, Peter John, her mother-in-law, Ann (Burdick) Garbic and her niece, Miriam McCafferty.

Jody was a devoted wife and mother.  She put the needs of her family first and wanted them to know they were always loved.  Jody was also a loyal friend, social and outgoing.  She made many lifelong friends and in recent years enjoyed her Saturday morning breakfasts with her dog park friends in Arizona, morning coffees and lunch outings with her Kentlands Manor friends, and long phone calls to her dearest friends and family.  Jody adored dogs and had many of her own.  They were a part of her family and she loved them dearly.  Even when she could no longer care for her own, she always carried treats for any dog lucky enough to cross her path. Jody touched many lives and she will be greatly missed.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Jody will be held in the St. Mary’s Catholic Church on Friday, January 5, 2023  at 11:00 AM, with the Rev. Thomas More Sikora, OSB, celebrating.  Burial will follow in the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.  The Mass will be streamed on the St. Mary’s Church YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/@saintmarysparish1411

Visitation will be held in the Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home on Friday, January 5, 2023 from 9:30 AM until 10:30 AM.

Memorials, if desired, may be made to the Elk County Humane Society, 1029 E. Eschbach Road, St. Marys, PA 15857; the Animal League of Green Valley, 1600 W. Duval Mine Rd, Green Valley, AZ 85614; or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105-9959.