Joanna Marie Avalli began her journey to heaven on Thursday, May
5 after a courageous battle with cancer. She was 62 years old.
Joanna Marie Avalli began her journey to heaven on Thursday, May 5 after a courageous battle with cancer. She was 62 years old.
Joanna passed away peacefully at her home overlooking her beautiful garden with the sounds of her grandchildren playing in the background. She was the daughter of Fred and Mary Avalli; the sister of Mario, Fred and the late Louis Avalli; the mother of Gina, Tom and Michael Annotti; the awesome grandmother of Bianca, Sophia, Dante, Mateo, Vito and Angelo.
She was born and raised in Hollister. She attended local schools and graduated from Palma High School and the College Of Notre Dame in Belmont.
“She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, sister, teacher and friend,” her family said.
Joanna was a sixth-grade teacher at Maze Middle School in Hollister where her passion was teaching second-language learners and helping them master the English language. In her free time she enjoyed gardening, spending time with her grandchildren and gambling – quarter slots were her specialty, according to her family, and a quick trip to Las Vegas with her gambling partners could never be passed up.
“She will be missed by her family and friends,” her family said.
Friends are invited to a Mass of the Resurrection and a celebration of Joanna’s’ life at 11am on Friday, May 13 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church followed by a fiesta at her home. Memorials are preferred to the Sacred Heart Parish School c/o Grunnagle Ament Nelson Funeral Home 870 San Benito St., Hollister, CA 95023.
