Joann C. Vitalo

Joann C. Vitalo, 85, passed away at home on Wednesday, December 18 after a brief illness. Born in Brooklyn, New York to Loretta and Herbert Sanguinetti, she was an honors graduate of St. Francis Xavier Academy. She married Alfred E. Vitalo in 1955. Though divorced, they remained friends and she cared for him throughout his final illness. He passed away in 2010 while holding her hand. She retired from a long career in the finance department of Riverview Hospital in Red Bank. A very active member of the Catholic church, she served for many years as an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist and lector, as well as providing weekly service of the altar linens for her home parish of Ascension in Bradley Beach.

She cared passionately about issues of peace and social justice and worked her whole life to make the world fairer and more just for everyone, especially the poor. She was a founding member of Pax Christi Monmouth County and used her activism to push for peace. She was an accomplished cook and tireless provider who shared her love of food and family with countless meals at her gracious home where she welcomed so many.

Beloved and fierce mother of five children, Alexandra, John, Virginia, Marie (Mark) van Rossen, and Laura. Dynamic and loving grandmother of Johannes, Cristian, Stefen van Rossen, and Isabella and Tatiana Vitalo. Survived by sisters Marie Rudd, Dorothy Murray, brother Robert (Joan) Sanguinetti, in-laws Barbara Sanguinetti, Marge Vitalo, Joseph Ravener and Cornelia van Rossen, and 22 nieces and nephews. Her brother Raymond passed away in October. Cherished friend of many in the Catholic community including the Revs. Ronald Cioffi and Anthony Carotenuto, the Sisters of the Good Shepherd and many more, both here and nationally.

The family will receive mourners in the Church of St. Teresa of Calcutta, formerly Ascension Church, 501 Brinley Avenue, Bradley Beach from 10-11am on Monday, Dec. 23. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 11am. Private burial at Mount Olivet Cemetery, 100 Chapel Hill Road, Middletown, NJ.

Memorial gifts may be made to: Catholic Relief Services: https://support.crs.org, The Catholic Worker’s Maryhouse at 55 East 3rd St, New York NY 10003, or Collier Services: http://www.collieryouthservices.org/.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.