Joan Diane (Bragg) Pietrzen, the beloved matriarch of our family, completed her journey here on earth on March 7, 2026 and has now rejoined our beloved and dearly missed father and Grandpa, Eugene Pietrzen.

How do you sum up almost 89 years of a life so well lived, and of someone so very loved? It is an impossible task. Joan touched so many people with her kind, compassionate, and generous heart. Anyone who knew her was better for it.

She raised three fiercely independent daughters, despite the fact that she grew up during a time when women weren't really taught to be independent. She never doubted that each of us was strong enough to stand on our own, even when we may have had our own doubts.

She adored - and was adored by - her granddaughters, Rachel, Courtney, and Alaina. Spending time with them brought her immense joy. Seeing the love between them was a sight to behold and a balm to the soul.

She leaves a gaping hole in our hearts, but that hole is just a measurement of how much of an impact she had on our lives. We are eternally grateful to have had the privilege of calling her "Mom" and "Grandma." She will be forever loved.

Joan is survived by her daughters, Cheryl White, Karen Pietrzen, Julie (and Scott) Sumner; her granddaughters, Rachel White (and fiancé Brendan Mathews), Courtney White, Alaina White, and Lauren White; her brothers David (and Donna) Bragg and Paul (and Jackie) Bragg; and her nephews and nieces Wally Jr. (and Linda) Pietrzen, Rod Bragg, and Sandra (and Scott) Martin.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Eugene Pietrzen, her parents, Neil and Ann Bragg, and her nephew Glen Bragg. We love knowing they are all together again.

Visitation for Joan will take place at Howe-Peterson Funeral Home, 22546 Michigan Ave. Dearborn on Tuesday, March 10th from 3:00-8:00pm with a rosary service at 7:00pm. The Funeral Mass will take place at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Dearborn on Wednesday, March 11th at 11:00am.