Jo-ann Ferrero Joanis

Jo-ann Ferrero Joanis, age 68, passed away on Wednesday, December 13, 2006 following a courageous battle with cancer. She was born on December 9, 1938 in the City of Hartford to the late Joseph and Angelina (Uliano) Ferrero. She was a member of the St. Augustine Church where she made her first communion, was confirmed and married to the late Donald Paul Joanis. She attended St. Augustine School and graduated from Bulkeley High School in 1956. She received both her B.S. and M.S. degree from Central Connecticut State University where she specialized in inner city education. She continued her education at many fine universities in and around Connecticut. Jo-ann started dancing at an early age at the Jane Hart School of Dance in Hartford and it was there that she began teaching dance under Jane?s mentorship. She began working as a professional dancer performing with the ballet at The Bushnell, in nightclubs and on cruise ships early in her dance career. She opened ?The Jo-ann Ferrero School Of Dance? in Hartford, with branch studios in Windsor and Windsor Locks soon after she graduated from high school. Her studios were popular and well known in the area for their professionalism, organization and having the latest trends in the dance world. Jo-ann was an active member of Dance Masters of America, Dance Educators of America and constantly attended conventions around the country as well as hosting professional New York Choreographers at her own studio for over 40 years. Although she moved to Wethersfield in 1970 and joined the Corpus Christi parish, she became an active member of both churches keeping her close ties with St. Augustine?s parish and Hartford?s south end community. She began teaching school in Hartford?s Public Schools in 1974 at M.D. Fox Elementary School and then at Dr. Joseph J. Bellizzi Middle School (formerly known as South Middle School) through October of this 2006 school year. She has been recognized both locally and nationally for her accomplishments in teaching, receiving awards for her dedication to education and her students. For those who knew her as a 2nd, 4th or 6th grade teacher, a science teacher or dance instructor, she was always a model of unrelenting dedication and energy as she touched the lives of many in and around Hartford. Jo-ann is survived by her daughter, Rene Joanis-Burke, son-in-law Chris Burke and grandchildren Benjamin Robert and Jo-ann Elise Burke all of Wethersfield; and two sisters Marie and her husband Norman Joanis of Wethersfield and Dolores Ferrero of Newington. She also leaves brothers-in-law Raymond Joanis and Henry Giasson, sister-in-law Annette Hallman, many close cousins especially Palma and Richie Romano of Wethersfield with whom she has always been close, 18 nieces and nephews, 24 grandnieces and grandnephews, and many, many wonderful friends who she loved and cherished. She will rest along side her late husband Donald Paul Joanis and her predeceased son Paul Vincent Joanis whom she missed deeply. She was also predeceased by her sister Irene Lavoie formerly of Wethersfield and sister Lucille Giasson formlery of Auburn, Maine. Funeral services will leave Monday, December 18th at 9:15 a.m. from the D?Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd, Wethersfield for a 10 a.m. Funeral Mass at Corpus Christi Church, Wethersfield. Burial in Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery will be private. Friends may call at the funeral chapel on Sunday, December 17th from 2 to 6 p.m. Memorial contributions in Jo-ann?s memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, 538 Preston Avenue, P.O. Box 1004, Meriden, CT 06450-1004. For on-line expressions of sympathy, please visit www.desopo.com.