We celebrate the life of Joanne Mikulak Kalb who passed away at the age of 80 years old on
December 5, 2021, at The Rutherford Memory Care in TN, from Vascular Dementia. Born on
November 4, 1941, she was the daughter of Peter and Anna Mikulak. Joanne was born and
grew up in New Jersey in the Russian Orthodox Faith with her brother John Mikulak. She moved
to CA in her twenties with her husband, Walter Kalb. Her first career was in nursing, but she
took many years off to raise her stepdaughter, Barbara, two children, Stephen and Melissa
Kalb, and two cats Serina and Cassie, which they raised in La Canada. During their school years,
Joanne was active in the PTA, volunteered often at their respective schools, and baked
countless dozens of cookies. She opened her home to their friends and loved it most when the
house was full of family and friends. Joanne was an incredible cook, had her re-designed
kitchen featured in Sunset magazine, and was known for her "freezer parties" and cheesecakes
with raspberry sauce. When Melissa was in high school, Joanne filled her days by working for La
Canada High School, first as the 7/8 Receptionist, and ultimately as the Textbook Room Clerk.
She loved working with her PTA friends at the high school and helping the teachers and
students. In 1990, Walter and Joanne purchased Airhardware, Inc., and ultimately, they ran their
business side-by-side until his untimely death in 2004. Joanne retired after Airhardware was
sold. She spent much of her time doting on her two grandchildren, Alaina and Patrick, grand-
dog, Gunnar, and grand-cats Snickers and Bailey. It was not unusual to see her at a dance
recital, theatre production, or swim meet. Her other favorite pastimes included shopping with
Melissa, reading, Downtown Abbey, Hallmark, and Disney movies, and spending time with her
lifelong friends at what was affectionally called Margarita Monday at Los Gringos Locos. In 2020
Joanne moved to TN with her son Stephen, his wife Kristina, and their family. The family is most
grateful to the staff at The Rutherford Memory Care for the excellent care they provided her as
her vascular dementia progressed. Joanne had such a caring and open heart that she made
everyone she knew feel as if they were family. She is missed by all who knew her.
She is survived by her son Stephen of Franklin, TN, daughter Melissa of Fort Worth, TX, step-
daughter Barbara of Muenster, TX, daughter-in-law Kristina, grand-children Alaina, and Patrick,
grandson-in-law Isaiah, grand-dogs Gunnar, and Tarben, and several extended family members
scattered across the country.
A Celebration of Life Ceremony will be planned for the spring or summer of 2022 in the La
Canada area. Details will be sent to family and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that
donations be made in Joanne Kalb's name to Dementia Society Association
https://www.dementiasociety. org/ or the Alzhheimer's Foundation of America
https://alzfdn.org/