Funeral Details

Joann Rae Dardick was a loving, compassionate wife, mother, grandmother, daughter and sister — and a beacon of light to all she shone upon.

And there were so many: scores of extended family members, friends, fellow temple congregants and, significantly, the many children she taught during a life she dedicated to teaching, whether it was in the classroom, at temple, in her home or at her cherished Hannukah parties.

Joann Dardick, 72, passed away Jan. 11, 2025 after a five-year battle with a rare and progressive brain disorder that never drained her determination to shower love on, and care for, those in her orbit.

Raised by Esther and the late Fredric Finne in Chicago’s western suburbs, where she attended Oak Park Temple and, in her teens, met her husband to be, Nathan, to whom she was married for 51 years.

As a young bride, she graduated from Northwestern University with a bachelor’s degree in education of the hearing impaired. She went on to teach early childhood education at Beth Emet Synagogue and later as an early intervention specialist at Solomon Schechter Day School. Later, she worked as a special education resource teacher at Elizabeth Meyer School, a self-employed tutor and a student support teacher at Beth Emet Synagogue Religious School, while earning her master’s degree in early childhood special education.

At the same time, she and Nathan raised a family that included three sons, one daughter and, later, five grandchildren who became the joy of her life.

Known for lending a helping hand to anyone in need, she was adored for her annual Hannukah parties, where she regaled children and adults alike, leading them all in worship and song while performing puppet shows with puppets that she made herself. It was just one way she taught the traditions of her Jewish faith, which guided and brought joy to her life. She brought true meaning to the Talmudic saying that being a teacher is a “labor of heaven.”

She and her husband, who led a charitable life, donated and lent a hand to many important causes. But it was her family — immediate and extended — that mattered most. All were touched by her love and kindness, which in the tradition of tikkun olum, indeed helped heal the world.

Later in life, she found great joy in helping care for, and teach, her grandchildren. She particularly enjoyed watching her granddaughters compete in ice skating and dance.

Joann Dardick was the beloved wife of Nathan Dardick and the loving mother of Samuel (Whitney) Dardick, Frederick Dardick, Tracy (William) Lyerly and Justin (Katie Drews) Dardick. She also was the cherished grandmother of Elle, Hannah, Ava, Jackson and Beckham; the loving daughter of Esther and the late Fredric Finne; and the dear sister of Laura (Dr. Charles) Miller.

Services are at 12 p.m. Tuesday at Chicago Jewish Funerals, 8851 Skokie Blvd (at Niles Center Road), Skokie. Interment will be at Memorial Park in Skokie.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Planned Parenthood, Attn: Online Services, P.O. Box 97166, Washington, DC 20090-7166, www.plannedparenthood.org. To attend the funeral livestream, please visit our website listed below. Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals - Skokie Chapel, 847.229.8822, www.cjfinfo.com