Joy Ann Mankowski's Obituary
Joy Ann (Duffy) Mankowski, 79, passed peacefully on June 5, 2025, in Bradenton FL.
Joy was born September 21, 1945, in Chicago, IL, to Eleanor (Yankus) and Daniel Duffy. She attended St. Jerome’s Catholic School, Big Hollow Grade School, then graduated from Waukegan, IL, High School. In 1966, her sister introduced her to Joseph Mankowski, and they were married May 5, 1967. Joy worked at Swank Insurance Agency in Waukegan, while raising her two sons and caring for her own mother and her mother-in-law and father-in-law.
In 1995, Joy and Joe retired and moved from Waukegan IL to Bradenton FL, where they quickly made friends and established themselves in the community. She found satisfaction volunteering. Joy served as the treasurer of the Village Green Homeowners Association for 10 years. She gave her time to make meals for the homeless with “the sammich angels” and dealt poker at the VFW. She was an active member and volunteer at the Moose Lodge 2188, American Legion Post 24, and VFW Post #10141.
She enjoyed bowling and socializing, playing poker, and organizing football pools and NASCAR race pools. She liked to gamble and was often lucky, winning enough to keep her in the game. The fun times and companionship of all of her friends, and especially Judy McDermott, helped her stay active and engaged in the communities she loved.
In recent years, she dealt with a variety of health issues, though her upbeat attitude didn't stop her from enjoying time with her friends and family. Traveling with them on cruises, lunches out, and socializing at the VFW kept her going. Her mother had a saying “you have to keep moving, to keep moving,” and that is exactly what Joy did.
Joy is survived by her sister, D. Sharon (Samuel) Belmont; her sons Joseph (Shantell) and Steven (Elizabeth); her grandchildren: Cedric, Joseph, Paige, and Adam; her nephews Daniel (Jill) and Paul and their children. She was preceded in death by her parents, Eleanor and Daniel Duffy, and her husband, Joseph C. Mankowski Sr. She will be dearly missed.
Gifts may be made in Joy’s memory to thePalma Sola VFW Post 10141 – Building Fund, or to the Wounded Warrior Project.
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