The Brooklyn native was born Joan Malato, she graduated from New Utrecht High School there.
She settled in Great Kills in 1967.
Primarily a homemaker, Mrs. Sanfilippo had worked part-time at L Furs in New Dorp.
She was a member of the Mt. Loretto Friendship Club.
She was outgoing and social and enjoyed dining out with friends. She also enjoyed shopping.
A dedicated wife, mother and grandmother, her family was her main priority.
"She was a very giving, nurturing and loved by all, she will be deeply missed" said her son-in-law, Craig Cohen.
She was a parishioner of St. Clare's R.C. Church, Great Kills.
Her husband of 53 years, Tom, died in 2009.
She is survived by her daughter, Cathy Cohen and two grandchildren.
The funeral will be Thursday from the Casey McCallum Rice South Shore Funeral Home, with a Mass at 9:45 a.m. in St. Clare's Church. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery, Pleasant Plains.
