Joanne L. Bica

Joanne Bica

Age 83 | Ravenna, Ohio

Joanne (Kaminski) Bica, age 83, of Ravenna, Ohio, passed away on Sunday October 25th, in the arms of her husband, after a lengthy battle with dementia, leaving behind a lifetime of cherished memories, a devoted family, and a legacy of faith, love, determination, and an enduring curiosity about the world around her.

Born and raised in Kent, Ohio, Joanne was the daughter of the late Vincent and Florence (Mae) Kaminski of Cherry Street. She attended Davey Elementary School and Kent Roosevelt High School before continuing her education at Kent State University, where she graduated in 1965 with a degree in Elementary Education.

In 1965, Joanne married Joseph (Joe) Bica, beginning a marriage of more than 60 years characterized by exceptional devotion, love, and an enduring passion for one another. Joanne often reminded her family, "We are husband and wife first, before we are Mom and Dad." This simple philosophy became the foundation of their marriage and the family they would build together. Throughout their lives, Joanne and Joe maintained a special closeness, often slipping away together to enjoy time as a couple, sharing adventures, quiet moments, and a love that remained central to their lives.

Following their marriage, Joanne and Joe made their home in Ravenna, where they began raising their family. Joanne started her professional career teaching third grade at West Park Elementary School in Ravenna from 1965 to 1967, until the birth of her son.

Although Joanne embraced her role as a full-time wife and mother, her interests, talents, and accomplishments extended well beyond the family home. Exceptionally gifted in math and science, Joanne possessed a keen intellect, an inquisitive mind, and a natural ability to plan for the future. She was an avid reader, talented seamstress, enthusiastic gardener, and entrepreneur who balanced family life with managing and supporting several family businesses, including Bica's Lock Shop and numerous rental properties.

In 1971, Joanne's curiosity and determination led her to enroll in a correspondence course in locksmithing. What began as an interest in learning a new skill eventually developed into Bica's Lock Shop, a multigenerational family business, pulling in her husband Joe and later after her retirement from the business her son Joe Jr. Her willingness to explore an unconventional opportunity, coupled with her practical intelligence and entrepreneurial spirit, became a lasting part of the Bica family's history.

Joanne's love of learning never ended when she left the classroom. Teaching, questioning, researching, and discovering new things remained a constant part of her life. She encouraged her children and granddaughter to be curious about the world, to experiment, to cook, to research the unfamiliar, and never be afraid to explore something new. Whether in the kitchen, around the house, or somewhere along a family adventure, Joanne believed that learning came from asking questions, trying new things, and occasionally discovering that the unexpected could be the most interesting lesson of all.

Joanne and Joe shared a love of travel and exploration, eventually visiting all 50 states and traveling internationally, including memorable journeys to Israel and Egypt. Some of the family's fondest memories were created during summer camping trips with their children, Joe Jr. and Amy. Together, they traveled the highways and back roads of America, seemingly determined to discover every historical marker, fort, battlefield, cave filled with stalactites, and natural wonder the country had to offer. No historical attraction was too obscure, no educational opportunity too small, and no road trip quite complete without a stop at Stuckey's for a good pecan roll. These adventures were more than family vacations; they were traveling classrooms filled with exploration, laughter, and memories that would last a lifetime.

Faith was a cornerstone of Joanne's life. She and Joe were devoted members of Immaculate Conception Church in Ravenna, dedicating many years to supporting the parish and Immaculate Conception School through volunteer service, financial generosity, and an enduring commitment to Catholic education. Joanne was also a member of the Immaculate Conception Ladies Guild and the Ravenna Fine Arts Club, reflecting her interests in faith, community, and the arts.

At the heart of Joanne's life was her unwavering commitment to creating a warm, nurturing, and stable home for her family. Her children, Joe Jr. and Amy, remember a mother who provided not only love and encouragement but also a sense of security, consistency, and belonging. She understood that a strong family required balance, shared responsibilities, and a willingness to place the well-being of the family alongside individual needs.

Sunday family dinners were more than a tradition in the Bica household; they were a requirement. Regardless of the week's activities or the demands of everyday life, Sunday was a time for the family to come together, share a meal, catch up, and maintain the bonds that Joanne believed were essential to a strong and loving family. These gatherings became an enduring family tradition and a reflection of her determination to keep those she loved connected.

One of Joanne's favorite sayings captured her philosophy of family and personal responsibility: "Everyone in the family takes from the pot, and everyone in the family has a responsibility to put back in the pot." To Joanne, family was built upon mutual support, individual accountability, and the understanding that everyone had something meaningful to contribute. She taught her children that the benefits of belonging to a family came with an obligation to participate, help one another, and give back. It was a lesson that extended beyond the family home and influenced how she approached business, community, and everyday life.

Despite her many interests and accomplishments, Joanne was a fairly private person who found her greatest comfort at home and with those closest to her. She was always approachable and welcoming to others but was equally content spending a quiet afternoon sewing or in her garden, as she affectionately called it, "playing in her flowers." Her gardens, books, and sewing projects provided her with countless hours of enjoyment and reflection.

Joanne was never afraid to offer a little wisdom, practical advice, or encouragement to those around her, whether it was requested or, occasionally, even when it wasn't. Her observations were thoughtful, direct, and often accompanied by the conviction of someone who had already considered several steps ahead. She believed strongly in preparing for the future, accepting responsibility, working hard, and understanding the importance of family and faith.

Together, Joanne and Joe instilled in their children the values of faith, personal responsibility, a strong work ethic, family devotion, and giving back to others. These principles were not simply lessons they taught, but values they demonstrated through their marriage, their businesses, their commitment to education, and their involvement in the community.

Above all, Joanne treasured the family she and Joe built together. She is survived by her husband of more than 60 years, Joseph (Joe) Bica; son, Joseph (Joe) Bica Jr. and his wife, Dona; and her daughter, Amy Hutchinson and her husband, Brent. She also leaves behind her beloved granddaughter, Kara (Bica) Lisko and her husband, Richard (RJ), and her great-grandchildren, Richard (Richie) Lisko and Marygrace Lisko.

Joanne was preceded in death by her parents, Vincent and Florence (Mae) Kaminski.

The family respectfully asks for privacy and time to grieve, reflect, and celebrate Joanne's life and the many cherished memories they shared. At Joanne’s request there will be no public calling hours or funeral services. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial contributions in Joanne's name to the Portage County Animal Protective League, honoring her memory through the care and protection of animals in need.

Joanne lived a life defined by intelligence, independence, faith, curiosity, and devotion to the people she loved. She believed in the importance of learning, the satisfaction of hard work, the responsibility of planning for tomorrow, and the simple joy of discovering something new.

Her greatest lessons were not always taught in a classroom. They were shared around the Sunday dinner table, along the highways of America, in the family businesses, among the flowers in her garden, and through the example of a marriage built upon more than six decades of extraordinary love and devotion.

Her legacy lives on in the family she nurtured, the values she instilled, the knowledge she shared, and the memories that will continue to bring smiles, laughter, and love to those who knew her.

She will be deeply missed, forever loved, and remembered not only for the life she lived, but for the countless ways she taught those around her how to live theirs.

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