Joanna Ancona

April 5, 1931 – June 12, 2026

With faith in the Resurrection, Joanna Englezou Ancona peacefully entered into eternal life on June 12, 2026, at the age of 95, surrounded by the love of her family.

Joanna was born on April 5th, 1931, in Rhodes, Greece. From an early age, she witnessed hardship and history, surviving the trials of World War II and the Greek Civil War. Though her formal education ended early, Joanna's life was a testament to the wisdom she gained through experience and hard work. In 1955, at the age of just 24, Joanna journeyed to America with very little, carrying only faith and hope for a brighter future.

Her greatest earthly blessing then came when she met the love of her life, Joseph Ancona. Joanna often said, “My life began when I met Joe.” Their love was a testament to the sacred beauty of lifelong commitment.

Joanna lived her faith through acts of love, volunteering as a Greek translator for many years at her local hospital and quietly caring for those in need. She found joy in cultivating gardens and cooking Greek and Italian dishes for family and friends. She was known for her sharp wit, fierce independence, and fiery personality, qualities that brought laughter and strength to those fortunate enough to know her. She was a survivor in every sense of the word. She overcame war, hardship, immigration, and breast cancer, meeting each challenge with determination. Through every season of life, her faith remained steadfast.

Joanna now rejoins in eternal life her beloved husband, Joseph; her sisters, Katina and Elizabeth; and her parents, whom she carried in her heart throughout her life. She is lovingly survived by her sister, Theopi Knox; her children, Christopher Ancona and Christina Daugirdas; her beloved nieces and nephews, her cherished grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and her great nieces and nephews.

Though her earthly journey has ended, her family finds comfort in the promise of eternal life and in the belief that she has been welcomed into the loving embrace of our Lord. The seeds of faith, perseverance, and devotion that she planted throughout her life will continue to flourish in the generations she leaves behind.

Αγωνία η της Μνήμη

May her memory be eternal.

Funeral Services

Thursday, June 18, 2026

Visitation: 10:00 a.m., Prayers: 10:45 a.m., Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m.

St. Catherine Greek Orthodox Church

110 Southern Boulevard

West Palm Beach, Florida 33405

Procession and Cemetery Service follow at:

Dorsey–E. Earl Smith Funeral Home & Lake Worth Memory Gardens

3041 Kirk Road

Lake Worth Beach, Florida 33461