Joanne (Giovanna) Francesca Ghezzo

Joanne F. Ghezzo, 92, of Pasadena, went home to be with our Lord and Savior on Thursday, August 3, 2023. She was born in Florence (Firenze), Italy, daughter of Luigi and Bianca. As a young adult in Italy, Joanne loved every aspect of being in the center of Italian art from fine embroidery to the great paintings of the Renaissance. She enjoyed being outdoors to be strong and healthy, including hiking to the base of the Matterhorn in the Alps. 

In 1962 she married Anthony P. Ghezzo. He was the boy who grew up on her street, later moved to America and came back for her. Joanne raised three boys as a loving mother. She raised them to also love art and nature, as well as fed them incredible homemade pasta, sauces, pizza, bread, garden raised vegetables and delicious beignets. When her sons moved out, Joanne cared for the children of others and showed them unconditional love. 

Joanne was a devoted Catholic and looked for every opportunity to show others the love of Christ. Whether it was a massage to help relieve someone’s pain, a kind word, or rescuing a fallen baby bird, she was God’s hands to this world. While bed-bound, she was a joy and light to those who took care of her and a service to others. She was in constant prayer for those she loved. This gift kept her in good spirits even to the end. 

Joanne lived to nurture and help others. She would put others ahead of herself. Her legacy can be seen in the way she loved to nurture children, take care of animals, cook great food for others, tend to her garden and even practice acupressure massage. Joanne had a green thumb and used every inch of their land to grow fruits, vegetables and flowers. Her garden was welcoming and an invitation to enjoy the fruits of her labor. 

Joanne is survived by her loving husband of 61 years, Anthony. She deeply loved her family and seeing her sons and grandchildren was her joy. Her life and love will continue on through her three sons: Mark Ghezzo, and his wife Nancy, of Covina, California; Alan Ghezzo, and his wife Ginny, of Durham, North Carolina; and Paul Ghezzo, and his girlfriend Kris Jensen, of Pasadena, California; as well as her six grandchildren: Christina, Matthew, Alex, Nadine, Jonathan and Dylan Ghezzo. She is additionally survived by her cousin Giancarlo Pagni; and her nephew Tony Rosati, and his wife Benita.

His lord said unto him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. Thou hast been faithful over a few things; I will make thee ruler over many things. Enter thou into the joy of thy lord.’

Matthew 25:23

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to City of Hope.  https://www.cityofhope.org/