JoAnn M. Roe

JoAnn was born on September 11, 1934, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to her loving parents Henry and Elizabeth Belli, and grew up alongside her brother Jim. She was raised within a large, close-knit family deeply rooted in their Italian heritage, a heritage she carried proudly throughout her entire life. Her kitchen was a testament to that legacy; everyone who knew her agreed she was the finest Italian cook they had ever had the pleasure of knowing.

From an early age, JoAnn showed a gift for music. She studied violin, piano, and harp, and developed her most cherished instrument of all, her own beautiful voice. She was a proud member of her high school orchestra and chorus, and continued performing throughout adulthood, most notably through her lifelong participation in church choirs. Her voice was as much a part of her as her faith.

JoAnn graduated from Lincoln High School and briefly attended Marquette University, where she met her first husband. The two built a life together over 23 years during their residence in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She later moved to Los Angeles, California, with her husband Charles, where she served as an administrative assistant at the Schoenberg Institute at the University of Southern California for 11 years. When Charles accepted a position at the University of Arizona, the couple relocated to Tucson, where they lived for 22 years before eventually returning to Rancho Cucamonga, California, where JoAnn spent her final years.

JoAnn is survived by her devoted husband Charles, her daughter Barbara and son-in-law Harold, along with their daughters Valerie, Michelle, and Kelly; her son David and daughter-in-law Maureen, along with their children Mary, David Jr., and Mark, and great-grandchildren Noah, Luke, Esther, and Penny. She is also survived by Charles’ three sons: Andy and his wife Theresa, along with their children Cathy, Michael, and Jessica; Rick and his son Jarret; and Bobby and his son Nicholas, along with great-grandchildren Theo and Owen.

JoAnn’s greatest legacy was her unconditional devotion to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. From the moment she became a mother at age 20, nothing in this world mattered more to her. Her unfailing faith guided every step of her life and was a constant source of strength and grace for all who knew her.

She leaves behind her husband Charles, her loving companion of 53 years, whose heart she held until her very last breath. She is preceded in death by her parents and her brother Jim.