Obituary of Joanne M. Filippi

Joanne Margaret Filippi, of Vineland, NJ, passed away on Sunday, April 21, 2024 in the comfort of her home and in the company of her friends and family. Joanne is survived by her loving family: daughters, Donna Dandrea and husband Frank, Deborah Burkholder and husband Terry, and Diane Curland and husband Edward; son, Col. David Filippi and wife Debra; five beloved grandchildren, Christina (Filippi) Novicki and husband Vincent, Jana Dandrea, Michael Curland and wife Sol, James Curland, and Elizabeth Curland; and two great-grandchildren, Calvin Novicki and Tate Curland. She was predeceased by her daughter and son-in-law Denise and William Crowe. Joanne was born in Vineland, New Jersey to Emma and Nicholas Peluro. She was a graduate of Vineland High School, where she met her husband of 23 years, Delmo "Flip" Filippi, who passed away in 1975. Joanne dedicated her life to teaching others. In addition to being a long-time substitute teacher at Vineland and Absecon High Schools, she was a member of the Vineland High School staff responsible for developing and operating their state-of-the-art closed circuit TV program. Joanne also dedicated many years of service to Sacred Heart High School, where her children attended school, as a member of too-numerous-to-count social and fundraising committees. Finally, Joanne somehow found a few extra hours in each day to coach both the Vineland and Sacred Heart High School cheerleading teams. Outside of the education realm, Joanne was a successful sales representative for the industry-leading casino trade publication, Casino Journal magazine. Those close to Joanne knew her as an avid sports fanatic; she grew up in a baseball family with two of her uncles having been professional baseball pitchers. From childhood, she loved rocking on her front porch listening to baseball games on the radio with her Uncle Howard, one of those two pro pitchers. Though she followed all of the Philadelphia area sports teams, her greatest passion (and ire) was reserved for her beloved Philadelphia Phillies. October 21, 1980, was the day the Phillies-led by Joanne's all-time favorite player, Baseball Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt-won their first-ever World Series championship. She was heard to have told her son on more than one occasion that this day was "the best day of my life … apart from my wedding day, of course." Her family expresses heartfelt gratitude to all who have provided exceptional care and compassion for Joanne in the final years of her life: Doreen, Becky, Sandra, Margie, and the Ennoble Care Team. And a special thank you to Santa Booker, whom mom always considered a "daughter." A church visitation will be held on Monday, April 29, 2024 from 10:45am to 11:45am followed by a funeral mass at 12pm from Saint Padre Pio Parish - Church Of Our Lady Of Pompeii, 4680 Dante Avenue, Vineland. Interment will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Vineland. ARRANGEMENTS are under the supervision of Rone Funeral Service, 1110 East Chestnut Avenue, Vineland, NJ 08360 The family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Joanne's favorite charity, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. For online donations, go to St. Jude's website at <https://www.stjude.org> To send online condolences please visit our website at www.RONEFUNERALSERVICE.com