Obituary
Joan Grace Scali
Adored by her large and loving family, Joan (Joanna) Grace Scali passed peacefully on Monday, November 4, 2024, just days before her 95th birthday.
Joan was a woman of indomitable spirit, with a razor sharp wit and unyielding desire to keep learning and living each day. She spent her entire life devoted to her 6 children, many grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was also a fiercely loyal friend to many, including her best friend of 80 years, Sue.
Filled with entertaining stories and excellent advice, Joan was a very special resource for all her family; and always ready to offer her take on the joys and tragedies of life. At 94, she'd lived through decades of social change, numerous world conflicts and faced an ever changing landscape of technological advances. She remained a force to be reckoned with until her last breath.
Joan began life growing up in Chicago with two union-strong and politically minded parents, and she instilled that same intensity of civic engagement in all her children. A stunning woman at every age, she dabbled in a modeling career in her late teens, which led to her meeting the love of her life, Mauro Leonardo Scali, an extraordinary artist who was wholly captivated by his Joanna. Together they raised 6 children, all of whom feel the deepest gratitude for a lifetime of encouragement, support of dreams and their shared devotion to family. Joan joins her beloved Mauro in heaven after many years of being separated by his death in 1988.
After Mauro's death, Joan focused on family and friends, welcoming her new phase of life with fortitude and resilience. She joined a local dance troupe and participated in many shows at the Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center; and she never shied away from the spotlight, nor turned down a chance to sparkle in sequins and rhinestones. She also embarked on many overseas adventures that included studying with Sue at an elder hostel in England, visiting the House of Lords, and enjoying several extended trips to her favorite place on Earth, the tiny Umbrian town of Arrone, Italy. Her family and friends will treasure the shared memories of those adventures forever.
Joan is survived by 5 of her 6 children, her loving son-and-daughters-in-laws: Maura; Susan (wife of son Joseph, who greets her in heaven); Patrick; Christopher and wife Toni; Suzanne; and Sharon with husband Frank with whom she lived.
She is also survived by her grandchildren: Nathan and wife Elaina; Jason and wife Melissa; Chris Aaron and wife Marla; Sarah; Adam and wife Crystal; Kristin and husband Chris; Rachel; Jason Alan; Mauro and wife Sarah; Jordan and Jaren; and is also greeted in heaven by grandson Shawn. And, by her great grandchildren: Shawn, Kaedyn, Ryland, Emily, Derek, Jonas, Helena, Maggie, Addie, James, Leo, and Gianna.
Joan's life will be celebrated by friends and family on November 30, 2024.