JoAnn Mike

Parents Madeline and Quito Petrella One sister, Rose Marie LaGrotta and married Don LaGrotta with eight wonderful nieces and Nephews.

Met her husband John in 1959 at a dance and married October 14, 1961, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Monaca, Pennsylvania.

In 1965 John and JoAnn moved to California to follow her sister Rose Marie and JoAnns parents followed. In 1968 Son Steve was born, and daughter Paula was born in 1971. John and JoAnn were married for 60 years. Six grandchildren Madeline, Preston, Heather, Jacob, Jaime, Matthew. Two great-grandchildren Genesis and Joshua.

JoAnn has always been a devoted Catholic woman of faith and had an incredible and unique love for the blessed mother. She always dedicated her time and talent to the parish she belonged. JoAnn typed the bulletin at St. John’s in Monaca, Pennsylvania.

After moving to California, John and JoAnn found Saint Genevieve. She was a CCD teacher and at that parish for 24 years, and through St. Genevieve, she met her closest lifetime friends. In 1990 JoAnn and John moved to Murrieta. That’s where they found St. Marthas. One of the founding first members. She immediately jumped in and gave her time and talent. She was devoted to many ministries, including RCIA, and was a lector. Wife of 3rd degree Knight of Columbus, where JoAnn enjoyed supporting John and the KOC events. JoAnn loves her Saint Martha family Joann‘s heart and devotion were first with her family, but JoAnns church family meant so much to her. Another pariah where God's love lives, JoAnn met more forever friends. JoAnn touched so many lives from young to old she taught so many about her faith and how to serve others and love God.

Work-Life: before moving to Murrieta, JoAnn was an executive secretary. In Murrieta, she worked at the schools and a few other jobs but found her niche at J C Penny, where she later retired from. JCP was the perfect Job for her, where mom did want she loved. Gave customer service and helping others, all with her bubbly full of life personality. It all showed in her work. She was a devoted employee and took her job very seriously, and always willing to help anyone that came her way.

If it weren’t at church or work or home giving to us and others, Joanne would find a way to help.

JoAnn: She gave the best hugs (ask anybody). I think that’s one thing everybody will miss. Had the biggest full of life personality, loved parties, and loved life. She was the most giant prayer warrior, and you were lucky if you were in her prayers because they were being heard. Her love for her faith and God was undeniable.

She was devoted to John and they had 60 years of love that was displayed for us all to be inspired by. JoAnn loved her children adored her grandchildren. She was so proud to be a grandmother and adored them beyond words . They were truly a big part of her heart, and everybody that knows JoAnn knew that.

She also loved her amazing and dedicated nieces and nephews. One last thing Mom said to me was, don’t be jealous when I’m up in heaven We are partying without you.