After fighting a long and courageous battle against breast cancer, Jeanie Vodak passed away on April 11, 2016. Although very petite, Jeanie had the heart and bravery of a lion as she fought her terrible disease. Her doctor said that Jeanie defied the odds by surviving five years with extremely advanced cancer, which had metastasized to her spine and brain.

Jeanie Louella Mayo Vodak was born on July 1, 1940 in Boston Massachusetts, to parents Pedro Mayo from the Philippines and Genevieve Lizzotte Mayo from Maine. She spent her early years in Massachusetts and Maine before moving to New York City with her parents. Jeanie was always very proud of her half Filipino, half French heritage.

Before Jeanie met Mike, she and her son Peter developed a very special bond that lasted throughout her life. They shared many fun times, laughed often, saw each other frequently, and always spoke several times a day.

Jeanie spent most of her working life as a manager at an insurance company, where she met her beloved husband of 40 years, Michael Vodak. They were married at the top of Beekman Towers in New York City. After their marriage, they ventured into their own business of selling women’s clothes at street fairs all around Manhattan. Jeanie was honored to be stepmother to Mike’s daughters, Mandy and Wendy.

Once Jeanie retired from insurance, she began her favorite job of walking dogs in Central Park. One of Jeanie’s greatest pleasures was walking and playing with her own wirehair fox terrier, Callie. She would walk her clients’ dogs several times a day in Central Park and in every type of weather, later regaling her loved ones with interesting stories of happenings in the park such as finding lost purses, jewelry, and cell phones. She always tried return property to its rightful owner, which often led to even more adventures and stories.

Jeanie had a passion for people and life and was tireless in her enjoyment of every facet of it. She loved street fairs, going to plays, mimosa brunches, dim sum, or just being out and about in the city that matched her enthusiastic energy level. She also enjoyed traveling to Florida, Hawaii, Las Vegas and cruising to the Caribbean Islands. A favorite hobby was gambling in Atlantic City and on cruises. If there was a slot tournament anywhere she would enter it. She had quite a lucky streak, too, and there were several times the family cheered her on to win the jackpot.

Jeanie was a kind, generous, fun loving person. She was always the life of the party and the one to encourage others to have fun. A thoughtful hostess, Jeanie always ensured that she had each guest’s favorite food and drink on hand and encouraged their hearty consumption of it while enjoying good company and lots of laughter.

Jeanie was preceded in death by her parents (named above) and in-laws Robert and Martha Vodak. Her pets Princy, Candy, Pepper, and Penny also died before Jeanie’s passing.

She leaves behind her husband of 40 years Michael Vodak, son Peter Mayo (wife Rebecca), step daughters Mandy Marotta (husband John) and Wendy Litten (husband James) and her pup, Callie.

Jeanie would want everyone to celebrate her colorful life and remember how fully she enjoyed living it.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her honor to a cancer society would be appreciated.
A foundation that was close to Jeanie’s heart is:
The Helen Sawaya Fund
c/o Dr. Gabriel Sara
Division of Oncology
1000 Tenth Avenue
New York, NY 10019