Joan M. Caliri

Joan was born September 1, 1931 at the age of 94, in Brooklyn, NY, to parents Margaret and Thomas Pucci. Joan was the only child until her sister Marie was born 6 years later. Joan grew up in a close, loving family with loving grandparents nearby,

Joan worked as a secretary in Manhattan and married John Caliri in 1964. Joan and John had their only child, a son John Jr born December 1, 1966.

Joan’s husband John died in 1992 at 63 years old, Joan’s son John Jr. passed away in 2008 when he was 41 years.

I met Joan after her son passed away almost 18 years ago. Joan contacted me after her son passed because she knew I had helped her son John in the law office I worked in and she told me in her state of being alone and needing help she believed I could be a help to her too.

That was the beginning of all these years of my relationship with Joan, who became part of my family, my grandkids would call her grandma Joan. She loved them and always remembered their birthdays and special occasions. Joan became a second mother to me and I became a daughter to her. The funny thing is that my mother was born the same year as Joan and they went to the same high school. Joan loved whenever I would give her a family picture Christmas card. Joan loved cards that I gave her and would read them over and over again and loved stuffed animals I would give her that she said were her little friends.

Joan loved music and to dance which she did the last couple of years with her walker with her aid Mari for her morning exercise. When Joan seemed to be upset or not in a good mood I would say now, we are going to sing If you are happy and you know it and she would sing with me and start to laugh.

Joan had a hard life as she lost her husband when he was 63, her son when he was 41 and she lost her younger sister 10 years ago. Despite of these loses, Joan had a love for God and people. Joan was a generous lady and always wanted to show her appreciation when someone did something for her. Joan would love it when I would get her different items with scripture and when I would read the Bible to her or put on Christian music for her.

Joan loved to talk about the Lord with me and accepted him as her Lord and Savior.

Joan was a brave lady that went on with life many years after her family members passed away. I was grateful to have known her and been a part of her life for the last 18 years. It was a blessing to be part of Joan’s life and it gives me comfort that Joan was able to spend her last years in the comfort of her home and was given good care by her aide Mari. I will miss you sweet Joan and I am happy that you are no longer suffering physically and emotionally. On the day before you took your last breath, I leaned over you and I asked

God to have mercy on you and take you home to him. Until we meet again Joan love you my dear friend and second mom, Carol

A visitation will be held at Cusimano & Russo Funeral Home, located at 2005 West 6th St, Brooklyn, NY, 11223, on November 21, 2025, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am.

Interment will take place at St. Charles / Resurrection Cemeteries, located at 2015 Wellwood Ave, Farmingdale, NY, 11735, on November 21, 2025, from 1:00 pm to 1:30 pm.