Joan (Giovanna) DeStefano

Joan (Giovanna) DeStefano passed away peacefully in her home on Saturday, January 16, 2021. Joan was born on March 11, 1951 in Naples, Italy to Carolina Gentile and Gennaro DeStefano.

She was born the third sister amongst six siblings, Mary, Rafaelina, Patricia, Gino and Rosie. Joan, known to many as Jojo, was always the life of the party. She had a quirky personality, saying what was on her mind and in her own way, always making others laugh (or cringe). She loved to sing and dance, music was a great love of her life. In her younger years she spent a lot of time on 5th Avenue in Arnold. She always remembered it as her happy place where she made countless memories with her loved ones.

She was a 1970 graduate of Valley High School, Arnold Campus. Jojo worked at the Ar-Den and the Crow Bar making drinks and cooking for many years. She loved cooking almost as much as eating! As an Arnold native she loved chicken wings and P&M pizza! When she wasn't eating or partying Jojo could always be found spending time with her family, her daughter, Cari (James) DeStefano, her dear siblings, nieces and nephews, Stephanie (Tom) Strellec, Ryan (Natasha) Long, Justin (Kristin) DeStefano, Josh DeStefano, Rachel (David) Bollinger, Ben (Christy) Basista, David (Shaina) Basista and all of their families.

 Jojo loved her family more than anything and always did whatever she could to support them. She was a caring and compassionate person who made everyone she met smile and shake their heads.

As was in life, she was also preceded in death by her parents and elder sisters Mary and Rafaelina; and brother Raymond in infancy.

She is survived by her daughter, Cari (James Jackson) DeStefano; her grandson, Tate, whom she adored; and her second grandson on the way; siblings, Patricia (James) Basista, Gino (Susan) DeStefano, and Rose (Mark) Thomas; brother-in-law, Terry Long; and many nieces and nephews. She will be missed deeply by all who loved her.

A special thanks to Grane Hospice for the compassionate care that granted Jojo the comfort of being home with her loved ones. And to Jan and Jean, her housemates and true friends who were by her side for years.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 23, 2021 from 9:30 AM until prayers of transfer at 10:30 AM in the Ross G. Walker Funeral Home Ltd., 217 Freeport Road, New Kensington. A funeral Mass will follow at 11 AM in Mt. St. Peter Roman Catholic Church, 100 Freeport Road, New Kensington. Entombment will be in Greenwood Memorial Park, Lower Burrell. rossgwalker.com

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