Jaroslava "Jarka" Pechanec (known fondly as Jeri) of Roanoke, VA, beloved wife of the late Dušan Pechanec, was born in Šternberk, Czechoslovakia, to Jaroslav Šimek and Miloslava, née Volovecká.

In 1969, amid the turmoil following the Prague Spring, Dušan, Jarka, and their daughter Jacqueline fled their homeland and settled in Waterbury, CT. The family later relocated to Southbury, CT, where Dušan opened a Watch and Clock Shop and Jarka built a career in electronics manufacturing as a product quality controller. She cherished her family above all else and found joy in reading, swimming, cycling, and long walks in the park with her loved ones.

In 2011, an unimaginable tragedy struck when her beloved husband and daughter passed away within nine days of each other. Though her heart was shattered, Jarka's deep faith in God and remarkable inner strength carried her through this devastating loss. Sustained by the love of family and friends, she pressed forward with quiet courage. True to her independent spirit, she sought a fresh start — a place where healing could begin — and found it in Roanoke, VA. There she was embraced by a warm community of friends who became very dear to her. She devoted herself to a healthy and purposeful life: swimming, long walks, frequent visits to the local library, and the gift of quality time with those she loved. She remained an optimistic and joyful soul until the short illness that took her from us.

Jarka will be deeply missed by her family in the Czech Republic — her sister Daria, niece Kateřina Věra, and many beloved nieces and nephews. In the United States, she is mourned by cousins Viera Pecha, her sons Robert and Thomas and their families, and cousin Vladimír Pechanec. Jarka will live on in our hearts, our memories, and our prayers, reunited at last with the loved ones who went before her.

A calling hour will be held on Tuesday April 28, 2026 from 10:00 - 11:00 A.M. at St. Teresa Catholic Church, 494 Main St. South, Woodbury, CT. A mass will begin at 11:30 A.M. Burial will be immediately following the mass at Pine Hill Cemetery, Southbury, CT.

To leave an online condolence please visit www.munsonloveterefuneralhome.com