Joanna L. Sturniolo, 88, of Clearfield died Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2016, at her residence in the Colonial Courtyard, Clearfield.
The cause of death was acute kidney failure, following over eight years during which she required dialysis.
Miss Sturniolo, known by all as “Aunt Joanna,” was born April 24, 1928 in Clearfield, a daughter of the late John and Antonia (Elia) Sturniolo.
Her birthmother died when she was very young, and she was reared by her father’s second wife, Carmella T. (Casella) Sturniolo, with whom she lived for most of her life.
She was a 1946 graduate of Clearfield High School, worked her entire adult life and retired in 1991 after 22 years of service as an accounting assistant from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
She was a member of St. Francis Catholic Church, Clearfield, where she was also a member of the Rosary and Altar Society.
She volunteered at the church in several capacities, including monitoring donations and as Eucharistic Minister at Mountain Laurel Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Clearfield. She also volunteered for 40 years at the Cottage Gift Shop at the Clearfield Hospital.
“Aunt Joanna” had strong and life-long friendships with many in Clearfield, and she became the matron of the Sturniolo family after the death of Carmella Sturniolo.
She was particularly loved by her many nieces and nephews, all of whom appreciated her unflinching and nonjudgmental dedication to them. All will miss her greatly.
She is survived by three brothers and their spouses, Frank M. Sturniolo and his wife, Marie and Vincent M. Sturniolo and his wife, Nanette, all of Clearfield, and Emery J. Sturniolo and his wife, Geena of Washington Grove, Md.
She is also survived by three sisters and their spouses, Rose Catalano and her husband, Roy of Curwensville, Sara Campolong and her husband, John of McBee, SC and Josie Rattien and her husband, Steve of Washington, D.C.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Tina Mitchell. She also has many nieces and nephews living all across the country.
A Mass for a Christian Burial will be said at 10 a.m. Saturday at the St. Francis Catholic Church, Clearfield, with Monsignor Krebs as celebrant. Burial will follow at the Calvary Cemetery, Clearfield.
Friends will be received at the Kevin A. Beardsley Funeral Home, Clearfield, on Friday from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. with Rosary to be said at 5:45 p.m.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the St. Francis Educational Endowment Fund, 212 S. Front St., Clearfield, or to the Williams Syndrome Association, 570 Kirts Blvd., Suite 223, Troy, MI 48084-4156.
To sign the online guestbook, go to www.beardsleyfuneralhome.com.