JoAnne Marie Mastandrea Welling, world-class grammy
JoAnne Marie Mastandrea Welling, world-class grammy, passed away Sunday, June 6, 2021, at the Tidewell Hospice House after a 21-month battle with pancreatic cancer which she fought like a Viking warrior right to the very, very end.
JoAnne was born in Braddock, Pa., Oct. 28, 1944, the same day the Statue of Liberty was dedicated. She had dysentery and many babies were dying of it back then, but she proved right from the beginning that she’s a fighter! She grew up in Swissvale as a proud majorette with the “Swiss Misses” for three years and became Pennsylvania State Jr. Bowling Champion of the Women’s League around 1960.
Mom chose the California State Teachers College where she was a majorette, met her best friend Mary Gray Meyer (deceased) and roomed together for three years. She waitressed in college where she met W. James Welling, her future husband. Later, Mom had to take a bumpy ride in the VW bug to get Jennifer to come in 1968 and four years later, along came button-nosed Jodi.
Mom had a diverse set of careers from teaching to owning Forget-me-not-Florist, to supporting companies and businesses in their many needs. She even ended up working back at schools in Virginia and Florida. With her bubbly personality and organized ways, she was loved everywhere!
We are so grateful to the doctors, nurses, and staff at Moffitt Cancer Center for their care and guidance during her battle, the staff at Lexington Manor Assisted Living for making her last month joyful in the moments when she could participate, and for the staff and nurses at Tidewell Hospice for their care and guidance. To all mom’s friends and neighbors who made meals, grabbed her mail, checked in on her, drove her to appointments when she could no longer drive - sometimes two hours away to Moffitt, and to everyone for the many cards, calls, texts, and love shown to both JoAnne and her family during her battle, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
JoAnne was preceded in death by her parents, Mary Capezzuto Mastandrea and Alfred Mastandrea; and her best friend Mary. She is survived by her daughters, Jennifer Welling Barrows and husband Brian of Rehoboth Beach, and Jodi Welling Austin and husband Scott of North Port, Fla.; her beloved grandchildren: Griffin and Grant Barrows and Gabriella Austin. She will be missed beyond measure, but she will live on in all of us.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggest you consider a donation to The JoAnne Mastandrea Welling Special Education Scholarship at California University of Pennsylvania, care of Tony Mauro, mauro@calu.edu, or to Tidewell Hospice.
A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Monday, June 21, 4 to 6 p.m., at Edgewater Church, 19190 Cochran Blvd., Port Charlotte, Fla. Refreshments will follow the celebration. Please wear your favorite shade of blue in honor of JoAnne’s favorite color and her beautiful life.
