Jo Ellen Fasanello

June 29, 1935 – August 31, 2026

Jo Ellen Fasanello, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on August 31, 2026, at the age of 91.

Born and raised in Buffalo, New York, Jo Ellen was the beloved daughter of Joseph R. Baldwin and Ellen Baldwin. She was the youngest of three daughters, sister to the late Dorothy O’Connor and Nancy Druar.

Jo Ellen attended Holy Angels Academy and later Rosary Hill College, where she met the love of her life, Sebastian, at a college dance. They married in August of 1959 and began a marriage that would span 67 years. Through all those years, Sebastian remained the great love of her life.

Together, Jo Ellen and Sebastian raised five children: Vincent (Donna) Fasanello, Michael (Sharon) Fasanello, Sebastian (Margot Watt) Fasanello, Christopher Fasanello, and Ellen Mahoney.

At the very center of Jo Ellen’s world was Sebastian, followed closely by her children, their spouses, her grandchildren, and her great-grandchildren. Family was always her greatest priority. She devoted herself to raising her children with love, faith, encouragement, and guidance. She was a constant source of support to them, always interested in their lives, proud of their accomplishments, and eager to celebrate every milestone along the way. As her family grew, she brought that same love and enthusiasm to her 13 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She spent countless hours with them, sharing in their lives and celebrating their birthdays, holidays, accomplishments, and all of life’s special moments. Jo Ellen had a wonderful gift for making each person feel important and each occasion feel worth celebrating. Whether it was a major milestone or simply a moment together, she embraced it with genuine excitement, pride, and joy. Her family knew how deeply they were loved because she showed them every day.

As her children grew older, Jo Ellen found new ways to devote herself to others. Giving back became an important part of her life. For many years, she was actively involved with the March of Dimes, helping to gather donations and organize fundraising galas. She was also deeply involved with the Women’s Auxiliary of the American Psychiatric Association and proudly served as its president in 2003.

Her compassion was especially evident in the time she devoted to children in need. For many years, she worked to collect Christmas donations for children participating in programs at Father Baker’s. She made sure there were gifts for everyone and then brought her family and friends together to wrap them. Her children and grandchildren became part of that tradition, learning firsthand from her that giving to others was not simply something you did—it was something you embraced with your whole heart.

She was a longtime member of the Clarence Women’s Contemporary Club and remained active in her parish, St. Joseph’s, for many years. Her faith was an important part of her life and guided much of the way she lived and served others.

Another of Jo Ellen’s great passions was history, particularly the history of her family. She spent many years researching and documenting her own family lineage as well as that of Sebastian’s family. She kept meticulous records and took tremendous pride in preserving the stories and connections of the generations who came before them. She wanted her family to know not only where they came from, but to understand the people and stories that made them who they are. She lovingly created heritage booklets for each of her grandchildren so that these stories would continue to be passed down. She was especially proud of being a Daughter of the American Revolution.

Jo Ellen leaves behind much more than memories. She leaves a legacy of love, faith, generosity, family, and service. She taught those around her the importance of caring for others, knowing where you came from, staying connected to family, and celebrating the people you love.