Joanna Santangelo and Her Family

Hi friends and family,

Joanna Santangelo, a loving mother, generous teacher at Rio Grande, and kind friend to many, has lost her valiant battle with Stage 4 Melanoma.

Much more than her diagnosis, Joanna was an adventurous woman who filled her world with laughter, dancing, and nature. Her story begins with loving parents who came to Queens, NY, after immigrating from Sicily and continues on through her husband, her four accomplished and incredible children, and her budding and beautiful grandchildren. All of whom carry her spirit for joy, love, adventure, and serving others.

I've created this GoFundMe on behalf of her surviving family to ask for your help with support and end of life costs.

Her daughter, Melanie, has taken off the last month of work to provide 24 hour care in conjunction with Joanna's DIL, Samantha. Joanna's children Benjamin, Kenneth, and Melissa have all taken time off work to provide care and support in these last weeks as well, while everyone juggles grand-children and jobs.

The funds collected due to your generosity will go towards funeral services, helping her children travel to gather for her funeral, and provide them with the comfort of being able to take time off from work in order to grieve and lay their mother to proper rest.

We are so grateful for your kindness, understanding, and condolances.

Please keep the family and Joanna in your prayers during this season.

Much love to all of you.