Joan Gomez

Once You Met Her You Never Forgot Her

On February 24th 1932, God graced the world with this wonderful woman, Joan Gomez. He brought her back into his loving arms on April 13th.

Born in Liverpool, England, Joanie lived through the blitzkrieg of World War II bombings. The war interrupted her education, so she went to work making hats. Joanie, touched innumerable hearts during her life. One of those was, John Gomez. They met in England. She was a civilian working for the British Air Ministry and John was in the Air Force. Joanie and John were meant to be and they wed in England.

The young couple arrived in the United States in 1959. and Joanie began working as a waitress at Ann Darling Bowl in East San Jose. Many of you might remember Joanie, who was short of height (4-feet, 8-inches tall) but big in heart.

Joanie moved on to work at Manny’s Cellar in downtown San Jose and stayed on for almost 30-years. With her Liverpudlion accent (which she never lost), her easy laugh and talent for making friends with everyone – from the footballers, to attorneys to the politicians who were Manny’s regular customers, Joanie’s was the face everyone looked forward to seeing. In 1981, San Jose Mercury News reporter Joel Achenbach wrote an article about Joanie. He summed her perfectly when he described her as “the one who treats her customers like family that just dropped in from Liverpool.” Once you met Joanie, you never forgot her.

Manny’s closed and Joanie moved on to Sam's Log Cabin in Willow Glen, taking along her charm, and again winning the hearts of her customers and co-workers. When Sam's Log Cabin closed, Joanie decided to hang-up her waitress apron and retire.

She enjoyed traveling the world with friends and her church group and was even planning a visit back to England.

Joanie was predeceased by her loving husband, John P. Gomez and her brothers and sisters in England. She is survived by her sons, Phil Gomez of Aptos, and Graham Gomez of San Jose; daughter Giselle Mello, son-in-law Bob Mello, grandchildren, Stephanie Mello, and Johnny Mello of San Jose; and niece Susan Francis of England. Debbie Hartman of Aptos will also miss her dearly.

Joanie was predeceased by her loving husband, John P. Gomez and her seven brothers and sisters in England. She is survived by her sons, Phil Gomez of Aptos, and Graham Gomez of San Jose; daughter Giselle Mello, son-in-law Bob Mello, grandchildren, Stephanie Mello, and Johnny Mello of San Jose,niece Susan Francis of England and goddaughter Victoria Gomez of San Jose.

A public visitation is scheduled for Tuesday, April 19th, at Willow Glen Funeral Home, 1039 Lincoln Ave, from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. A vigil service will be held that same evening at 7:00 p.m.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, April 20th, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Christopher’s Church on Curtner Ave. in San Jose. The family welcomes friends, acquaintances and anyone whose life was touched by our amazing mother. Her passing leaves us broken hearted, but we find strength in the memory of the joy of her life and celebrate the love that she has generously given and received by so many people.

Arrangements under the direction of Willow Glen Funeral Chapel, San Jose, CA.