JoAnn Cisterna

JoAnn was the first child of her generation born into a multigenerational household in the city of Rochester, NY on Carter St. She received special attention from everyone in the house. Her Aunts used to sit with her and curl her hair as they would talk about boys at school, always making sure to cover JoAnn’s ears.

She learned responsibility at a young age because her mother spent much of her time taking care of JoAnn’s Grandmother who had Parkinson’s Disease, something JoAnn would be struck down with later in life. JoAnn would be responsible for walking her younger sister to school blocks away. This was not an easy task because her sister was always easily distracted and lagging behind. JoAnn had two brothers also to help out with when they moved to Greece in 1955.

JoAnn was part of the first graduating class at Greece Olympia in 1961. Unfortunately, her mother was not able to attend the ceremony as her youngest sibling decided to be born two weeks earlier than expected on that same day.

JoAnn held secretarial jobs where she could use her exceptional organizational skills. One of her friends and coworkers, Loretta introduced JoAnn to her brother Peter and Peter eventually broke through to JoAnn’s heart and they were married in 1966.

They resided in a big colonial style house on Five Mile Line Road in Webster where they raised two children, Matt and Chris. The house was meticulous inside and out. JoAnn was proud of spectacular gardens and her annual garage sales that were very successful. She and Peter and they boys kept the house looking great all while she held a job at the Highland Hospital Foundation Dept. She eventually moved her job closer to him and became the secretary at Holy Spirit Church in Webster where the family were parishioners. They were active in the church as well, working on the annual festival, as well as Peter being an usher at Mass.

JoAnn loved to dance and was part of a square dance group that would meet frequently. She would also be the first one kicking her shoes off and heading to the dancefloor at a wedding, especially to do the Twist.

She loved to try new recipes. Her recipe box is full of clippings from magazines and cookbooks she tried out on her many family gatherings that she hosted at her house.

She had many struggles in life, but always managed to navigate a way around to survive. She was a very strong, dedicated woman with a big heart.

JoAnn is predeceased by her husband, Peter in 2003; her son, Matt in 1996; her parents, Joseph and Jennie Ciulla; her sister, Sue Galetto in 2025; and her brother, Jim Ciulla in 1990. She is survived by her son, Christopher; her brother, Bill Ciulla; as well many nieces and nephews and dear friends.

A funeral service will be held at New Comer Funeral Home on Empire Blvd., on Monday, September 21st at 10 AM, followed by burial at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery on Lake Avenue in Rochester.