Obituary of JoAnn Acocella

JoAnn Acocella, 89, went to be with the Lord, on April 16, 2012, after a brief illness, while at home surrounded by her devoted husband Stephen H. Acocella and her loving daughter Margaret Lopez. JoAnn was born in Lodi, NJ on July 26, 1922 to her parents, Joseph and Anna Iannaci. JoAnn attended Lodi schools and graduated Lodi High School in 1940. She married Stephen in 1948 and resided in Lodi for many years prior to living in Anderson, SC from 1978 to 1981, until moving to their present Vineland, NJ residence. While dating Stephen, JoAnn faithfully wrote to him every day for over 4 years when he was in the Marine Corps stationed overseas. On April 4, 2012, they celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary. During her younger years, JoAnn worked with her dad as an expert buttonhole maker in New York City. During her married life, JoAnn only worked outside the home for a short time as an office manager for GP Putnam in East Rutherford, NJ. Years ago, JoAnn and Stephen enjoyed dancing together and traveled extensively throughout the United States, also to Mexico, Italy and many other islands in the Caribbean. JoAnn always remained a faithful, devoted wife, loving mother and wonderful homemaker. JoAnn was an excellent cook and enjoyed preparing meals for her family especially for the holidays. She made each occasion special with her beautifully set table and homemade cooking and enjoyed giving a "special" gift of money attached to each guest's glass. JoAnn always took pride in her appearance and always received many compliments for her beautiful hair. JoAnn enjoyed watching TV, playing cards and occasionally visiting the casinos. Throughout the years, she always enjoyed spending time with her husband, daughters, son-in-law George, grandchildren and visiting family and friends. JoAnn was a very caring, kind, giving and loving person. She was greatly loved and will be sadly missed by her in-laws, many nieces, nephews, family and friends, but most especially by her husband and daughter. JoAnn was predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Anna Iannaci. JoAnn was the last surviving sibling in her family, being predeceased by her brothers Edward, Frank and Ernest Bonomo and John and Albert Iannaci and her sisters, Virginia La Corte, Lena Catania, Clara Gugliemino, Emma Frazine and Yolanda Mancuso. She is also predeceased by her loving daughter, Antonia Segond in 2008 and her loving son-in-law, George A. Lopez, Sr. in 2011. JoAnn is survived by her loving husband, Stephen H. Acocella, loving daughter Margaret Lopez, loving grandchildren, Stephanie Diliberto, Philip Diliberto, Joseph Segond and great-grandchild Dominick Diliberto and many loving nieces, nephews and friends. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at the Divine Mercy Parish (formerly St Francis of Assisi) 33 W. Chestnut Avenue, Vineland, NJ with Msgr. Dominick Bottino officiating and Pastor Philip L. Cornwell from Life In Christ Outreach Ministries, Bridgeton, NJ delivering the words of remembrance. The family requests donations in JoAnn's memory are made to either the Divine Mercy Parish, 33 W. Chestnut Avenue, Vineland, NJ or to Life In Christ Outreach Ministries, P. O. Box 154, Deerfield Street, NJ 08313.