Jonie Lasecki
Jonie Lasecki
Sure hope that Heaven has a Tim Horton’s, and its inhabitants have a big appetite. One of the biggest coffee drinkers, and best cooks around, is headed there. Saturday, April 19, 2025, Jonie went to join her soulmate in Heaven.
Service to others was the calling of Jonie’s life. She began her journey of service at Trocaire College, earning her Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, after which she became a Registered Nurse.
She chose to use her talents to help disabled children through the agencies of People, Inc., and Pediatric Services of America. In 2004, she was given the honor of ‘Nurse of the Year.”
Later, she continued her service to others in the kitchen. For many years, Jonie used her cooking talent professionally, both at the White Inn and the Park Pub in Fredonia. Even in retirement, she continued to share her renowned culinary skills with family and friends at parties and Sunday dinners. Homemade cinnamon rolls and pizza, or any of her delicious creations she was making that day, she made to express her love.
Jonie also served the community in several ways. She joyfully offered her service not only as an Emergency Medical Technician with the Forestville Fire Department, but also as a member of the Blessed Mary Angela Rosary Society and the Women of the Moose.
Jonie was predeceased by her parents Jerome and Delsie Penkaty, her husband and Love Of Her Life, James Lasecki, her infant sister, Phyllis Ann Penkaty, and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends in Heaven. She has left behind a vast blended family of relatives and chosen relatives. She is survived by her children, Brian (Carolyn) Sheldon, Bobbi-Jo Sheldon of Dunkirk, Amy (Don) Ervolina of Gowanda, Jessica Talbert of Oklahoma, Bethennie (Tory) Smith-Petrella of Hamburg, Katlin Lasecki of Oklahoma, Logan Lasecki of Dunkirk; cherished grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Keith Sheldon of Dunkirk, Larry (Andrea) Sheldon of Brocton, Sean Sheldon of Florida, Lance (Kara) Sheldon of Gowanda, Nicole (Tim) Sheldon of Dunkirk, Joy (Joe) Rzeznik of Elma, Christopher Sheldon of Dunkirk, Jacqueline Connors and William Cooley of Oklahoma, Connor Coleman of Rochester, Ally Clement of Dunkirk, Ezra, Aven, Wila, and Mila Sheldon of Dunkirk, Xavier, Zakani and Aaliyha Sheldon of Oklahoma and Isaac Smith-Petrella of Hamburg; brother, Dale Penkaty of North Collins, sisters, Debi Penkaty-Smith of North Carolina, and Pam Penkaty of Fredonia.
Anyone who had the pleasure of meeting Jonie knew that she was a kind, loving, caring soul that always had an open door, a deck of pinochle cards, and a pot of coffee going just to sit and talk around. One also knew that her greatest love was, without a doubt, her beloved Buffalo Bills. The neighborhood will surely be a lot quieter on Sunday afternoons during football season now!
A celebration of life will be held around her birthday, June 28, 2025, at 2:30 PM at Post 62 on Central Avenue in Dunkirk, NY. It’s just the way she wanted it: with good food,great coffee, and lots of memories! The World lost an amazing soul, but she leaves us with this, “Let’s go make memories, because, in the end, that is all we leave for those we love. Be good, do good, and GO BILLS!”
Arrangements are being lovingly made by FANTAUZZI FUNERAL HOME, 82 E. Main St., Fredonia, NY.