Johanna M. Gustafson

Johanna Marie Alviti Saggione Fuhry Gustafson passed quietly away on April 27, 2012 at the age of 85. She was born in Chicago, IL on July 11, 1926 to parents Guy and Margaret Alviti. Johanna graduated from Harper High School in 1944 and temporarily worked in the family restaurant business, until her high school boyfriend, August Saggione was discharged from the Coast Guard in 1946. They were married in June. She accepted a neighbor’s challenge to go to cosmetology school, she liked it and subsequently received her license. After several years of experience, she became an established owner of her own salon in Oak Lawn, IL. After having a daughter and a son, her husband unexpectedly passed away in early 1966. She later married Charles Fuhry in late 1967. Later because of health problems due to Raynaud’s Phenomenon, her doctor advised a move to a warmer climate. They moved to Phoenix in 1970 and she went to work in a salon at the Goldwater’s Department Store at East Camelback and Scottsdale Roads. In 1973 she purchased the “Royal College of Beauty” at 22 North Country Club Drive and Main Street in Mesa. In 1984 Governor Babbit appointed her to the Arizona State Board of Cosmetology. She and Charlie moved to Sun Lakes in 1985. In late 1985, she was elected National President of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools and Teacher Education Council until 1984. Johanna was a professional cosmetologist for over 40 years. While presiding over her school, she became involved with activities in Sun Lakes. She was a board member of the “Performing Arts League” (PAL), for a number of years. Johanna, along with several others, including Paula Cunningham and Mike DiGola, founded the Italian-American Club in 1986. Johanna loved to dance, so she participated in the “Sun Lakes Tap Dance Company” from 1985 for a number of years. When her husband was diagnosed with inoperable cancer in 1991, she sold her beauty school and to be near home, she managed the Palo Verde dining room from early 1993 to 1996. She moved to Cottonwood Café after Charlie passed away in early 1996. In July 1997, she married Jerry Gustafson. They had been friends since meeting in Sun Lakes in 1986. With their late spouses they attended Friday night sing a longs with Don Maeder and dances in the lounge and the San Tan Ballroom. Johanna was preceded in death by her parents and infant brother Guy Jr., Husbands August Saggione and Charles Fuhry, step-son Gerald Gustafson Jr. Johanna is survived by her husband Gerald, daughter Cynthia Rochwalik (Joe), grandson, Joey Rochwalik (Gayle), great grandson Nico and Derrik, granddaughter Kelly Danner (Mark), great grandson Cody, great granddaughter Paige, son Guy Saggione, granddaughter Danielle Halsted (Steve), grandson Guy Saggione (Kelly) and her step family, son Eric Gustafson (Lynn), grandson Ryan of Las Vegas, daughter Debra Gustafson, son Randal Gustafson, grandsons Andrew, Austin, Alex, Nohl Eric Gustafson and great granddaughter Sere Marie of Whittier, CA. Services and a reception celebrating her life were held at 10 a.m. on the 4th of May 2012 at St. Stevens Catholic Church, with Father Reggie Carreon officiating the mass. Arrangements entrusted to Valley of the Sun Mortuary, www.valleyofthesunfuneralhome.com