SANDRA "JOANNE" AMATO

AMATO

Sandra "Joanne" Amato was born on September 13, 1935 in Killbuck, Ohio to Garnet and Herman Denman and was the second of five children. Growing up there, she was involved as a cheerleader, in the marching band playing the saxophone, and was crowned Homecoming Queen. She left her small town to move to Cleveland in 1953, and she lived at the YMCA. A stunning beauty, she caught the eye of her future husband through the window of his downtown bar as she walked by each day on her way back to her room at the "Y."
 
She married William Amato on October 4, 1958. They had five children – Anthony, Michelle (Dean), Lisa (Pat), Joey (Jenette) and Jennifer (Ray), and lived on Anita Drive in Parma Heights for 41 years. In 1977, the family opened Reddi's Pizza in Brook Park where it remains today as a beloved local business by customers near and far. Joanne worked tirelessly behind the scenes, ensuring the aprons and towels were always perfectly washed and folded, and taking the very best care of her husband, children, grandchildren and her home.
 
Joanne loved life so much! She loved to listen to music, to laugh, to travel, to take drives to her hometown with her granddaughters, to visit all of her loved ones and bring flowers or candy or pizzas to everyone she loved. She also loved to garden and plant flowers, and there was never a time that her home wasn't adorned with bunches of gorgeous pastel flowers and beautiful ferns. Joanne loved to write cards to her family, always perfectly articulating how much she loved each and every one of them in a unique and special way. She sincerely cared about every single person she knew in her life and did everything she could to show kindness to everyone around her. She was the best Nana ever to her seven grandchildren: Annette (Mike), Dina (Andre), Sharee, Kathryn, Ally, Joey and Carly. The newest addition, great-granddaughter Coco, is one of the very brightest lights in her life.
 
Truly, the love that she had for her family was seen and felt by everyone who knew her. She lived for her children and her grandchildren, and her kind and loving legacy is so apparent in each and every one of them. She peacefully entered into rest surrounded by her family. To everyone that knew her and loved her, there will now be a piece missing that cannot ever be replaced, but her love, kindness, faith and compassion will shine on through each of us who she leaves behind. Joanne was the kindest, most gentle and faithful soul. All who knew her described her as an angel, because that is exactly what she was – an angel on earth. And now, alongside our beloved Papa, an angel in Heaven.
 

SANDRA "JOANNE" AMATO  (nee Denman). Beloved wife of the late William. Loving mother of Anthony Amato, Michelle Falvo (Dean), Lisa Amato (Patrick McCarty), Joey Amato (Jenette) and Jennifer Stastny (Ray). Cherished grandmother of Annette Falvo-Katona (Mike), Dina Wolanin (Andre), Sharee Stastny, Kathryn, Ally, Joey Jr. and Carly Amato. Great grandmother of Colette "Coco" Katona. Dear sister of Janis Richards (Bob) (both deceased), Jerilee Moore (Kenneth "Toot)" (deceased), Jan Denman and Judy Delor (deceased). Prayers and final farewell will be 9:00 a.m., Monday, March 12, 2018 in the funeral home. Mass of Christian Burial, St. Joseph Church (Strongsville, Ohio) Monday March 12, 2018 at 10:00 AM. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery. Friends received Sunday 2 - 6 PM at the A. RIPEPI AND SONS FUNERAL HOME, 18149 BAGLEY ROAD, MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, OHIO 44130 (West of I-71)

FALVO - see AMATO NOTICE

STASTNY - see AMATO NOTICE

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