Joanne L. Arnone

Joanne Arnone of Norwalk, CT

Joanne Arnone, 83, of Norwalk passed peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, November 13, 2024.  She was born in Stamford on December 9, 1940, to the late John Parahus and Dorothy (Parahus) Sawicki.

Joanne’s husband, Demetrio (Dee) Arnone, passed in 2019.  Joanne and Dee’s three children - Kevin (New Canaan, wife Lisa), Jennifer Anda (Wilton, husband Jon), and John (Osprey, Florida, widow of Greta) - and brother John Michael Sawicki (Breckenridge, Colorado), survive her.

Joanne’s grandchildren were always her pride and joy - Jody (d. 2021) and Emily Underwood (Dallas, Texas), Kevin (NYC), Griffin (New Canaan), Fallon (University of Miami), and Xander (Ohio State University) - along with step grandkids Helen (husband James, great grandson Wiley) and Ibby (husband David) Anda (Los Angeles).

Joanne will also be deeply missed by Dee’s brother Bill and wife Patty (Stamford) and their children BJ, Matt, and Kelley - as well as nephews Mike, Stephen and Brian, sons of Dee’s brother Mike, as well as sister-in-law, Anne Marie Jaworski (Stewart, Florida, husband Ray).

While raising her family, Joanne worked for over 20 years in the radiology department at Norwalk Hospital.  She was an incredibly organized person - and the type who would be well into completing work while others might still be talking about it.

Joanne’s joyous smile and upbeat attitude attracted numerous nicknames over the years - including Jo, Nonnie, Mammalou, and Jojo.  But by whatever name she was called, she was someone that people loved having around.  And not just because she always left a space cleaner than it was when she entered.  She brought the expired, expired routine to many family refrigerators long before it made its way into a TV commercial.

Joanne loved being active and always on the go.  She enjoyed shopping, interior decorating, bargain hunting and cooking. She especially loved spending time with her friends and family for a drive down the beach, lunch, dinner, or a late day cappuccino (decaf) and cannoli! She always loved her annual trip with her sister-in-law, Patty, to the garment district for deals & meals.  She even made it to a World Series game at Yankee Stadium just last month (with Kevin and his sons)!  While Italy with Dee and friends was her favorite “big trip”, she stepped up for recent family trips in Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas, Sarasota, Santa Barbara, and Scottsdale - among others. In fact, at family weddings, Joanne was usually on the dance-floor for the final song.

Joanne loved reading novels and keeping up with the Hallmark Channel and Law & Order.  She was an Italian cook extraordinaire (favorite eggplant parm of those lucky enough to taste it).  And a good ravioli with pink vodka sauce (ala Via Sforza’s) was her favorite item on the menu.  But the hallmark of Jojo and food was as the force (and scungilli chef) of The Feast of the Seven Fishes every Christmas Eve for forty or so merry Arnone’s and other family.  This year’s will be in memory of our beloved Joanne.

Calling hours and a memorial service are Tuesday November 19th at Raymond Funeral Home at 11am.  In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Joanne’s name to the Little Free Library, 2327 Wycliff St., Suite 220, Saint Paul, MN 55114.