Joanne Adele Mastropietro

She grew up surrounded by a big, close-knit and intertwined family, alongside her siblings Joe, Jim, and Kathy, and a lively crew of cousins and friends. Childhood memories were made in Big Joe’s garden and among the laughter of neighborhood games. As a teenager, she danced at Parkstown events and hung out at Cascade Park, collecting pop bottles with best friend, Karen, to earn just enough change to ride the bus, hopefully both ways.

She graduated from Union High School, where she dazzled as a member of the Drill Team, known for her bright smile and her ability to light up any room she entered. She married Tom Grimes and became a devoted mother to Amy and Richard.

As life unfolded, fate stepped in with a twist only the heart could see coming. In 1977, shortly after she became a young widow, Joanne’s high school sweetheart, Don Mastropietro, then living in Lakeland, Florida, hunted down her phone number, literally. Getting it was quite the challenge. Finally successful, he picked up the phone and called her. A former high school basketball star at Union High, Don took a leap of faith, and discovered the connection between them was still there. Their love story rekindled, and in April 1978, she said yes to the date, yes to the dress, and yes to a life together. Don became not only her husband but also Dad to Amy and Richard, and a new chapter began, rooted in love and family.

Even through the trials and tribulations of life, Joanne's heart always remained filled with love for her children Amy and Richard. She adored them beyond measure. Both inherited her sharp wit and playful sense of humor, there was always laughter when they were together. Richard, a natural athlete, brought joy to Joanne when he thrived in the outdoors, where he felt most at home. And she cherished Zoe, the granddaughter Richard gave to her. With Amy, Joanne shared a bond that was as deep as it was joyful. They carved out time just for each other, mother-daughter weekends filled with long talks, spa days, shared stories, mostly about Amy’s children, Jake and Abbey, and shopping trips that were less about the things they bought and more about the connection they nurtured. These moments were sacred, filled with laughter, heart-to-hearts, and an unbreakable thread of love that only a mother and daughter can truly understand.

Don and Joanne had a love story written for the ages. Together, Don and Joanne built a life defined by adventure, laughter, and an enduring partnership. Over 47 years of marriage, from their days in Lakeland to sunny Sarasota/Bradenton, their home was always filled with warmth, great friends, beloved Corgis, and countless memories. They traveled the world hand in hand, literally. From extended visits to Greenville, SC to see Amy and Amy’s husband Jim, who became another son to Joanne, to journeys through New England, Alaska, Italy, and the bucket-list trip to Africa. In true Joanne fashion, they glamped in style, flew over Cape Town in a helicopter, and took in the magic of safari and the African sunrise.

To her closest friends, Cathy, Betty, Marilyn, Karen, Cousin Barb, and too many more to count, Joanne was the magnetic center of any gathering. A true gal-pal partner in crime, Joanne was always up for the next adventure, the next laugh, or the next heart-to-heart. Her friendships spanned decades, rooted in authenticity and shared joy. In recent years, she gained friendships with Don’s golf buddies’ wives, and many other Esplanade ladies she met in the various clubs and at events she enjoyed.

To her daughter Amy’s friends, she was “Jo” or “JoJo” - a second mom whose door was always open, whether or not anyone had called ahead. Her home was a sanctuary, filled with music, laughter, and unconditional welcome. She had a way of making every person feel like they belonged, and like they were part of something bigger—her chosen family.

Joanne's greatest role, however, was that of “Gooka” to her grandchildren Jake, Abbey, and Zoe. She loved fiercely and gave completely, offering the world’s best back rubs, banana nut bread (though maybe not the stuffed peppers—Dad gets this one), Rummy on the porch, and endless memories that will echo for a lifetime. Her presence wasn’t just felt, it was formative, wrapping her grandchildren in love, security, and a sense of wonder.

And then, there was her unmistakable style. She had the haircut everyone admired but few dared to try. Her wardrobe was stunning, carefully chosen pieces layered with beautiful necklaces and that effortless, timeless flair only she could pull off. Joanne didn’t just wear clothes—she made them come alive. Her look was part elegance, part pool side, a lot of sparkle, and entirely her own. Through her love of style and art Joanne created beautiful homes, filled with items that had meaning to her, creating a sense of peace and warmth felt by all.

Joanne’s generosity was just as radiant. She loved sharing the things she treasured. Her children’s friends were treated like her own, welcomed on family vacations and showered with thoughtful gifts, big and small. She delighted in giving—birthday surprises, just-because presents, an on-trend handbag, or a little something special from QVC. She gave because it made people happy. That was her greatest pleasure. Through her giving, she shared not just gifts, but love, joy, and her effervescent sense of connection.

She loved orchids, Grove Park Inn trips with Amy, and great shoes. She loved Yacht Rock and Motown, especially Marvin Gaye’s Mercy Mercy Me, and she never, ever changed the station if Michael McDonald or Hall and Oates were playing. She tuned in faithfully to Days of Our Lives, lost herself in Hallmark Christmas movies, and had a special fondness for late-night shopping on QVC and Amazon. These weren’t just hobbies—they were rituals of comfort, color, and cheer.

Joanne. Jo. JoJo. Gooka. Mom. Wife. Friend. However you were lucky enough to know her, you knew that you were in the presence of someone unforgettable. For 75 years, she graced this world with her beauty, laughter, fierce love, perseverance, hard-headedness, humility, hard-earned wisdom, and an unmatched spirit. Her legacy isn’t just in the stories we tell, but in the lives she touched so deeply. Anyone fortunate enough to be held in Joanne’s heart will never forget her.

And perhaps she left us one last gift. In the final week before her passing, caterpillars suddenly appeared on a newly potted milkweed plant on the screen porch of the home she shared with Don. Within days, the leaves were gone, and dozens of chrysalises appeared, dangling like tiny lanterns waiting to shine and days later soaring high as butterflies. A quiet whisper from the universe that her love is still with us, still beautiful, still lifting us up. Spread your beautiful wings, and we know you will be watching over all of us. Until we see you again…