Joanne Donato

Joanne (Pasquarelli) Donato, 79, passed away July 5, 2024 surrounded by family and friends. She was the daughter of the late Alfonso and Josephine (Spino) Pasquarelli and was the beloved wife of Michael Donato for 55 years.

She is survived by her devoted daughters, Michelle D. Ficocelli, and her husband Anthony, and Melanie L. Donato. She was the cherished grandmother to Michael and Alexis Ficocelli. Joanne was the loving sister of Susan L. Pasquarelli and the late Anita G. Iannuccilli. She leaves behind many dear nieces and nephews, who she treated like her own.

Joanne grew up with her two sisters and several cousins in a close Italian family. After graduating from Mount Pleasant High School in 1963, she became a buyer for Shepard's Department Store, where her love for fashion and accessories began and her creativity was put to use. Always on fashion trend, her keen eye for color and patterns led her to a career that used her talents. After getting married, she went to work for her father’s flower shop, Pasquarelli Flowers Inc, where she would spend the next several years as a master florist. Within that time, she volunteered at her children’s school and at her church. Joanne loved to host parties for her friends and sit on her deck in the summer and enjoy the warm weather.

After taking time off to raise her children, she began working for Twigs Florist where she remained until her retirement in 2007. In her retirement, she took care of her grandchildren and had numerous creative hobbies.

Joanne was known as “ The Spoiler” to her grandchildren and her love knew no bounds. She was welcoming, caring and generous. Her door was always open and she shared her life and faith with those around her.

Visitation will be held Wednesday from 4pm to 7pm. Funeral is Thursday at 10am from the Pontarelli-Marino Home, 971 Branch Avenue, Providence followed by a Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial at 11am in St. Anthony Church, 1413 Mineral Spring Avenue, North Providence.

Burial will follow at St. Basil the Great Cemetery, Cumberland.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Holy Family Home (for Mothers and Children) 5 Gibbs Street, North Providence, RI 02904