Joyce Bauman
1955-2021
Joyce Marie Bauman (née Nikolich), cookie artist, semi-professional jokester, 2nd “mother” to many, entered eternal life on October 7th, 2021 and spent her final days on this earth at home surrounded by family and friends.
She was born to Nick and Beda Nikolich on February 5,1955, and was the second of five children. She started her career as a secretary at Cotter. After raising her daughters she worked as a teacher’s assistant at Hawthorn School before ending her career as a resource navigator, working alongside her daughter at Shriners Children’s Hospital.
Joyce loved spending time in the kitchen cooking and baking her highly sought after cookies for her family and friends; on the dance floor impersonating Diana Ross with her 2 best friends and Kolo dancing with her family at celebrations and events; and flexing her sarcasm muscle, always making those around her laugh. It was impossible to be in the same room with Joyce and not feel her positivity radiating around her.
Her spirit is carried on by her 2 daughters, 4 siblings, 9 nieces/nephews and an extended family of relations and friends from every walk of life. We were blessed to learn many valuable lessons from Joyce during her short 66 years: Laughter (and bourbon) is the best medicine. Duct tape fixes anything. When you are in character, never break it. There isn’t anything that can't be stored in a Longaberger basket. Always lead with love and positivity. Life is a gift and we should all celebrate accordingly.
She is survived by children and siblings who meant more to her than life itself: Nicole (Nick, fur babies Rigby and Zeppelin); Krista (fur babies Howie and Penny); Lucy the cat; siblings Kathy (Pete), Chris (Heidi), Sharon and Mark (Petra); Pam and many nieces, nephews, friends and family too numerous to list but not forgotten. Joyce is reunited with her parents Nick and Beda, fur babies Duke, Kegger, Maggie, Sadie and KC, and so many others whose lives she touched immensely. She was a living angel here on earth and will continue to be our guardian angel up in heaven.
Friends can visit with Joyce’s family at Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church (1449 N Quentin Rd, Palatine, IL 60067) on Sunday from 4-8pm with a Panichida taking place at 7pm. Funeral Services will be held the following day at 10am. Services will be streamed online via Youtube and Facebook - for more information visit www.hroc-oca.org. Interment private.
In lieu of flowers, Joyce’s final wish was that donations in her memory be made to Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church as she wishes to give back to the church that gave her so very much.