Joan Frisco

The year was 1919 and Joan Casale was born in Queens, NY. She learned from the young age of 12 how difficult life can be at times. Her mother tragically died in a house fire and Joan was left to take care of her 3 brothers and father. As a result, she couldn’t finish high school in person. During that time, she learned to cook for her family by watching her aunt; she’d write everything down without her knowing then went home and made delicious Italian meals for her family. Pasta dishes were made from scratch, not the box that gets poured into boiling water! She also learned to clean, wash, iron and sew clothes. In time, her father travelled to Italy and brought back with him to the United States, a new spouse (Joan’s mothers’ sister); and had 2 daughters (step-sisters). She married a sailor when she was about 22 years old, and they had 3 children (two boys and a girl).

Joan’s career is as interesting as her early years; also presented with challenges. When she turned 18, while looking for work, she was offered a job by Bali-Bra company. She had no formal training. The owners liked her sewing so much, that they offered to send her to private design college which she graduated from in 1939. Over the years, she became so talented that Maidenform, Exquisite Form, Lilyette, Canadian Lady and Lady Marlene scouted her. She is still well known today for 2 specific designs, the Minimizer and Snowflake bras. Joan worked daily and was visited by 3 models (B, C, and D cups). Once those designs with lace fabrics were at perfection, the owners previewed them after returning from a business trip. They were astonished and thanked her with a gold watch and bonus. Within weeks of hitting the market, one million dozen Snowflakes were sold! When she had her third child later in life, the company at that time sent her various sewing machines, pattern grading table, fabrics, etc. to accommodate a mini shop in her home. Joan was no stranger to hard work and exhibited innate talent and determination.

After she relocated to Florida, she worked for Lady Marlene part-time, and her daughter eventually accompanied her as a designer and pattern grader for 1-2 years. Her daughter’s mini line of see-through bras with embroidered opaque hands made it all the way to Fredericks of Hollywood, while Joan was on vacation visiting family. She couldn’t have done it without Joan’s training. Just prior to leaving Ney York, Joan volunteered at Macys where she fitted hoards of women who lined up for an event to find their perfect bra size.

Tragedy struck the family when Joan lost her husband at 72 years old, and her oldest son at 54. She is however blessed, with 2 grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Through the years, and well into later years of retirement Joan took up many hobbies. Once retired, she went to school to learn to fit eyeglasses, then worked in an eye glass shop part-time. When off from work, she enjoyed dancing (ballroom and tap) among other favorites. She began tap dancing lessons at 62 and put on shows with friends at the clubhouse where she lived. She also enjoyed the theatre, and her last venue was the 2022 Tribute to Tina Turner.

Joan enjoyed bowling (a near 200 gamer) and joined the bowling leagues with friends. She was a casual golfer for years, and spent her spare change at the Penny Palace. On most mornings, she stayed fit with exercises up until her most recent birthday. On her 101st birthday, she renewed her driver’s license and was proud to be a “safe driver” even with a lead foot!

From then until this last year, her family watched her drive with their hearts in their mouth, but you couldn’t keep her away from Publix and the Dollar Store! Her favorite dishes to cook were Italian meatballs, tomato sauce, and stuffed mushrooms. When she told people her age they would gasp and often ask, “What’s your secret?” She replied, staying active! But, she cooked almost everything after breakfast with olive oil and garlic, then ate whatever else she wanted.

Joan enjoyed her 103rd birthday with family, then fought complications from congestive heart failure since this past Easter. Her daughter and grandson were at her side, and she will be missed by family and friends.