Julie Ann Tkaczuk

Julie Ann Tkaczuk (nee Nowak) 48 year old of Channahon, IL passed away on March 18, 2024 after fighting an unexpected battle with colorectal cancer for 3 years. Julie was born on May 7, 1975 to James and Carol Nowak in St. Charles, IL. Julie graduated from Waubonsie Valley High School in 1993 where she was part of their first ever gymnastics program. Julie then went on to study some college education at SIU where she majored in marine biology. In 1996, Julie met the absolute love of her life, Nicholas Tkaczuk. Nick and Julie went on to start their life very young with lots of unknowns, but they knew it would all work out because they were ready to take it on together forever. Getting engaged, married and having their first child Baylee Tkaczuk all within a few months and quickly learning the ups and downs of life. Shortly after, they were blessed with their other two children, Mckenna and Jayden Tkaczuk. Julie spent many years as a competitive gymnast. Once she settled down with her husband and kids, she realized she wanted to take things a step further and involve the community becoming a coach. She owned I&M gymnastics of Channahon, IL where she coached, inspired and impacted an infinite number of young athletes and their families not just about the sport of gymnastics but about true values of life. She sold the gym to focus on family, but this did not stop her from continuing her journey with health and fitness. Julie got intensely involved in body building and CrossFit - competing in both. She also personal trained numerous individuals while helping people with nutrition planning to become the best versions of themselves. She coached in the CrossFit community many years with the same purpose of spreading positivity and bringing people up with her. As noted above, Julie dedicated her life to fitness, health and nutrition making her the least likely candidate for a diagnosis like this. Julie decided to use her experience positively and made it her mission to educate and advocate for everyone around her about this disease to take preventative measures for health checkups and screenings. If you are reading this, Julie would want you to know that the month of March is colorectal cancer awareness month, so wear your blue and get your colonoscopies ! Julie is the beloved wife of Nicholas Tkaczuk and loving mother of Baylee, Mckenna and Jayden Tkaczuk. Daughter of James and Carol Nowak. Late sister of Lynette Sartori (Nowak) and nieces Briana (Anthony) Nuccio, Victoria Tobin (Stefan) and Madelyne Sartori. Sister of Mike (Julia) Nowak and niece Naomi Nowak and nephew Samuel Nowak. Daughter in law to Barbara (Michael) Novak accompanied by sister-in-law Christina (Del) Vivaldo and niece Kiana Malabanan. Per Julie's request, she does not want a funeral service as in her words, "it is too sad, stuffy and boring." She instead wants a casual celebration of life with all friends, family and anyone in the public who feels touched or inspired by her which will be held on her birthday, Tuesday, May 7, 2024. There will be much more information to come on this. Once more honoring Julie's final wishes there will be no public viewing or Visitation. Family and Friends are invited to be a part of the Funeral Procession. The Funeral Procession will leave The Maple Funeral Home located at 24300 S. Ford Rd, Channahon at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. We will pass Julie's home of residence in Channahon and then proceed to St. Mary Immaculate Cemetery, Plainfield to celebrate the Catholic Rite of Committal Service at 12:00 Noon with Fr. John Sponder officiating with a luncheon to follow. For those asking how they can help, send any donations to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, Colontown, Pink Heels, Team Make a Difference, or the Julie Ann Go Fund me at https://gofund.me/c257065c

Julie Ann Tkaczuk

May 7, 1975 - March 18, 2024