Joanne (Gendreau) Fappiano

Joanne (Gendreau) Fappiano, age 85, passed away at home on Jan 14, 2024.  She was born in Hartford Ct, on Sept 28, 1938, the daughter of Alcide and Mary (Zawacki) Gendreau.

Joanne attended public schools in Easthampton, MA where she met and married her high school sweetheart, Richard Fappiano. She graduated from Easthampton High School in 1958.  She was a stay-at-home mom until she was employed by Perstorp Corporation as an administrative assistant, from where she ultimately retired. 

Joanne embodied the word unconditional in all its senses. She surrounded all with her love, comfort, safety, creativity, and kindness.  She inspired wild stories, random bursts of song, an unrelenting love for fresh citrus, and a kindness towards others and animals. 

She is survived by her partner Donald Ostroski, her kids, Jean Bigda and her husband, Mark, DO of Easthampton, Beth Fappiano of Charlestown, NH, and Todd Fappiano of Manteo, NC.  She also had nine (9) grandkids, Erin Gosekamp, Ian Bigda (Megan Davis), Kierstyn Bigda (Scott Wesolowski), Brette Gosekamp (Logan Agatone), Zachary Bigda (Katie Bigda), Courtney Fappiano (Alberto Tovar), Andrew Gosekamp, Tony Fappiano (Casey Fappiano), and Lucas Fappiano and six (6) great grandkids, Elaina and Brennan Bigda, Piper and Emery Bigda, and Owen and Noah Fappiano to carry on through.

Joanne, known also as Juannie or OohHoo, loved her grandchildren often times making sock puppets with them when they were young and teaching them to make cookies, galumpkis,  and her infamous apple turnovers.  She loved the beach, her garden, picnics on Mt. Tom, the warm weather and finding shark’s teeth on Blind Pass in Englewood, Florida.  Joanne thoroughly enjoyed fishing in the Connecticut River, Maidstone Lake, and Charlotte Harbor.  

We will always love and miss her.  

She was predeceased by her parents, Alcide and Mary (Zawacki) Gendreau, and her husband Richard Fappiano, who died in 2005.  A celebration of Joanne’s life will be held at a later date at the convenience of the family.

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