JoAnn worked numerous jobs in her working career following her military husband from place to place. She taught eighth grade art at Howard AFB in Panama, and was a Parks and Recreation Supervisor for the city of Fayetteville, NC, a Commercial Travel Sales Agent for Worldwide Travel in Little Rock, AR, a Sales Agent for Black Forest Clock Factory in Ramstein, Germany, and worked 17 years as Sales Manager for Fulford Construction Company in O’Fallon, IL.
JoAnn was a member of St. Teresa of the Child Jesus Catholic Church, Belleville, IL, and was raised with a strong Catholic background, having attended St. Gregory Catholic School in Mamaroneck, NY and graduating from Ladycliff, a Catholic college in Highland Falls, NY, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art.
JoAnn was a warm, cheerful, gregarious person who loved to be around people and who treasured her friends. She brought joy to others and loved to celebrate the gift of life on every occasion with family and friends. She was an avid supporter of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
She was preceded by her parents, Donato and Pia, nee DeCarolis, Protano; and her brother-in-law, Philip Margiotta.
Surviving are her loving husband of 41 years, Marcus W. Yanaros, whom she married on July 9, 1982;
her sister, Marie, nee Protano, Margiotta;
a niece, Bianca (Eric), nee Margiotta, Olivencia, and their children, Mia and Hudson;
a nephew, Philip (Jan) Margiotta, and their children, Zachary, Luke and Katherine;
a niece, Ann, nee Yanaros, Farrell and her children, Shannon and Mackensie;
a niece, Amy Yanaros;
and her Godchildren, Jacqueline Burwitz and her daughter, Isabel Burwitz.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, February 20, 2023, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, February 21, 2023, at St. Teresa Catholic Church, Belleville, IL, with Fr. Michael Arockiam officiating.
Entombment will follow at Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum, St. Louis, MO.