Obituary of Joanna M. DeSantis

Joanna M. DeSantis, 95, of 111 Pennsylvania Ave. Jamestown, passed away at 1:20 p.m. Tuesday, July 28, 2015, in her home. A Jamestown resident since 1923, she was born October 21, 1919 in Bagni di Lucca,Italy, a daughter of the late John and Mary Fabbri Domenici. She was a 1938 graduate of Jamestown High School. Before her retirement she was employed as a teacher's aide for the Jamestown Public School System and had earlier worked for the former Valone Dry Cleaners and the former Murphy's Department Store. During World War II she worked at the airport assembling parts for aircraft. Joanna was a communicant of Holy Apostles Parish at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church and was a member of the AARP, the Home Bureau and in earlier years was active with the Parent Teacher Association. Surviving are a daughter, Marlene N. (David) Joy, a son, Ronald P. (Kathleen) DeSantis both of Jamestown, six grandchildren, Melissa K. (Jason) Wells of Huntingtown, MD, Andrea R. DeSantis of Washington, DC, Mary E. (Starr) Ryder of Jamestown, Philip C. (Vanessa) DeSantis of Durham, NC, Kristina D. Joy, Kimberly M. (Jeremy) Blum both of Jamestown, a step-grandson, Donald (Leslie) Joy of Fredericksburg, VA, seven great grandchildren, Siena Wells, Carter Ryder, Avery DeSantis, Olivia Reynolds, Ridgley Blum, Dylan Joy and Lucianna Joy. The family would like to acknowledge the wonderful care given by her caregiver Kathy Jones. Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Philip J. DeSantis, former Lieutenant with the Jamestown Police Department, whom she married September 22, 1945 and who died December 8, 1993, two brothers, John Domenici, Mario Domenici, a sister, Blanche Bullock and an infant sister. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Monday in Holy Apostles Parish at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church. The Rev. Dennis W. Mende, pastor will be celebrant. Burial will be in the Holy Cross Cemetery. Friends will be received from 4-7 p.m. Sunday in the Lind Funeral Home where a Christian Wake Service will be led at 3:45 p.m. Sunday. Memorials may be made to Holy Apostles Parish, 508 Cherry St. Jamestown, NY 14701.