Joanne was a grandma to me. It was never a consideration that she was not. She had just always been there and I loved her so much! 

Here is the poem I wrote for Nonno about Joanne:

 Threshold 
By Rachael Metzger


I am on the threshold 
I can just sense myself
lying on a soft surface
many people stand around
I don't know who they are
but I can feel their love towards me
the other part of me
is slipping 
into a warm glow
I want to go and dive
into the happiness 
and release my grip
not have to struggle 
any more.
 
 
Something holds me back
I feel your large rough hand
callused with work of love
gently hold my weakened arm
the arm that used to sew 
to wash 
to care for 
and now lies
almost lifeless in your hands
I know you are supposed to be here
your glow feels right
you start to talk
softly to me
I regain a little more of my hold
I can see you now
it is more then just a sense 
I stare into your eyes
your gently wrinkled face
from all the times 
you smiled at me
I know you love me
you hold me tight
not wanting to let go of my life
or is it your life
that is not wanting 
to let go of what you knew?
Tears drop
from your eyes
I want to reach out
to touch
and comfort you
as I used to do
but I am immobile.
 
I start to slip again
and you turn into my angel  
I smile
I smile at you
for all your love 
all your caring and encouragement
then I whisper
I will always love you
even when I'm gone
then I slip
all the way
into the warmth
into the freeness
I feel myself float 
above all
then I am on the sea
again
but this time
not on my boat
but on wings.

The most compassionate person to all who knew her.  My one and only best friend that I shared so many wonderful memories with.  

I loved the drive-in movies with my mother, Joanne,  hanging out of the window, trying to grab the speaker and my father (he had a very short fuse) and the movie was lousy so he decided to leave and the speaker was still attached.  This is a memory we often laughed about.

I remember the trips we used to take and my mother would read the road signs.  My dad would turn the car around and go back to see if the sign said what she had read.  Lots of laughter from mom and I.

Their Chihuahua puppy named Pedro eating the bottom of my mom's cone and my father calling her a pig because she was the first one done with her cone.

Growing up with my 2 brothers-Mike my big brother who I love, even though I was tougher than him, HA,HAâ€¦ Good Memories.  My younger brother Chuck,  love you and appreciate all the tough things you had to do for Mom during a very hard time.

I hope we all will remain close thru the rest of our years.  

Love, from your daughter,

Victoria Broderick

I have known Joanne for a little over 10 years. I found her to be  very kind soul, generous and gracious. I mostly saw  Joanne at the Casartelli family gatherings, where as a guest, I would benefit from some wonderful creation  she would bring to share. Thank you Joanne for all of those gifts. Thank you for letting me practice my singing for you. Thank you for all that you brought to the lives you touched.   Blessings on your journey,    Kate


I have known Joanne for 13 years but it seems like she has always belonged to our family.

She has always been a good friend, a wise-woman, mentor, a loving grandmother and a loyal companion to my father.  She was always so generous with her time and energy. She has always been supportive and willing to help. 

Oh my goodness, what would we have done with out all  of her help in all of our moves?! (We became Gypsies to technology for a number of years.)She made a tedious task fun! She and my dad would come and pack us up, and then unpack us. It was not only a big help with the stuff…but made for fun,  family gathering time! My closets were so perfectly folded in those days, never to be repeated again .

Joanne has been such  a wonderful model and inspiration towards uncomplaining acceptance.  She  did not complain. I have never known anyone like her in that respect. 

She was always so good natured, non judgmental and willing to try.  It has always been fun to go places and have adventures with her. Some of my most cherished memories will include  her bravery in going down the giant water slide in Santa Rosa, our trips together to Italy, London and Hawaii. 

Joanne would work sooo hard. She was always willing  to do far more than her share of anything that involved participation. When we had family gatherings we could always count on her help. 

She always looked beautiful. She was a lovely model to  Rachael and and the other granddaughters  in self care and pride of presentation. She was always well tailored, well pressed and well turned out! 

Joanne was a gift from the angels to our family. We have been so fortunate that she was willing to hang out with my father, Claudio.  We  all gained in their relationship. Our children got another grandmother. All five of Claudio's grandchildren have always known  "Nonno –and –Joanne" as one unit!

Joanne made Dad (Claudio)a better person by her gracefulness. We all are improved because of her…
I am  very sad at our loss of such a wonderful friend and honorary family member. The world has been expanded in it's wholeness by how she lived her life, and  for that I have great appreciation. 


Much love,
Loring Casartelli

I have known Joanne for 13 years but it seems like she has always belonged to our family.

She has always been a good friend, a wise-woman, mentor, a loving grandmother and a loyal companion to my father.  She was always so generous with her time and energy. She has always been supportive and willing to help. 

Oh my goodness, what would we have done with out all  of her help in all of our moves?! (We became Gypsies to technology for a number of years.)She made a tedious task fun! She and my dad would come and pack us up, and then unpack us. It was not only a big help with the stuff, but made for fun,  family gathering time! My closets were so perfectly folded in those days, never to be repeated again .

Joanne has been such  a wonderful model and inspiration towards uncomplaining acceptance.  She  did not complain. I have never known anyone like her in that respect. 

She was always so good natured, non judgmental and willing to try.  It has always been fun to go places and have adventures with her. Some of my most cherished memories will include  her bravery in going down the giant water slide in Santa Rosa, our trips together to Italy, London and Hawaii. 

Joanne would work sooo hard. She was always willing  to do far more than her share of anything that involved participation. When we had family gatherings we could always count on her help. 

She always looked beautiful. She was a lovely model to  Rachael and and the other granddaughters  in self care and pride of presentation. She was always well tailored, well pressed and well turned out! 

Joanne was a gift from the angels to our family. We have been so fortunate that she was willing to hang out with my father, Claudio.  We  all gained in their relationship. Our children got another grandmother. All five of Claudio's grandchildren have always known  "NonnoandJoanne" as one unit!

Joanne made Dad (Claudio)a better person by her gracefulness. We all are improved because of her.
I am  very sad at our loss of such a wonderful friend and honorary family member. The world has been expanded in it's wholeness by how she lived her life, and  for that I have great appreciation. 


Much love,
Loring Casartelli

Joanne, I just wanted to say how much you will be missed.  When I was growing up you and Chuck were always there for me, especially after my dad passed away.   I remember so many wonderful times that our family enjoyed and how exciting it was growing up and knowing that you and Chuck were there to take care of us if we needed your help .   I remember almost losing mom on your 2nd boat, a 25 ft. Chris Craft that was a nice boat but a little small to sail under the Golden Gate bridge.  Mom (Frances) was sitting in the back of the boat when we hit the big waves and she almost went overboard.  Chuck yelled at me to grab her and with your help I managed to get us in the cabin area.  I think we were all sea sick for a few days.  Thank you for making us one big family.  I could always eat a lot of food so I truly enjoyed our many dinners at Banchero's.   Thank you Claudio for caring so much about her and being with her, especially in tough times.  I will miss you both.  Chuck alias Chuckie, take care and thanks for handling the tough stuff, I love you.   Vicky take care of yourself, I know how much you loved Joanne and how hard it was  not to be here.  Get well and always remember to call, as I will,  I love you toooooo.  



Love, Mike Milton

OBITUARY

Joanne - Bostwick

August 31, 1932 – February 13, 2013

Keaton’s Mortuary

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