Madison - Joan Helen Parisi, 86, passed away peacefully following a long battle with dementia on Wednesday, December 14, 2016 at Kindred Hearts Memory Care in Cottage Grove, Wisconsin. She was born on June 28, 1930 in Dodgeville, Wisconsin to Frank and Helen (Longseth) Sullivan.
Joan grew up in Highland, and graduated from Highland High School in 1948. Following graduation from high school, Joan moved to Madison, where she worked for Wisconsin Telephone Company, before a long career at Oscar Mayer and company where she retired in 1984 after 34 years.
Joan married Vince Parisi at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Madison on January 29, 1949. They were happily married for 58 years until Vince's death in 2007. She was a member of St. Raphael's Catholic Church for many years, and then Good Shepherd Parish at St. James Catholic Church since 2005. She was a member of the Italian-American Women's Club, the CIAO group and the Elks Club Ladies Auxiliary for many years.
Joan is survived by her children Jim (Pat) Parisi of Clearwater FL, and Nancy (Rick) Freye of Madison; a sister Carole Sytek of Cottage Grove, sisters-in-law Phillipina Parisi Langbecker, and Alberta Nowak Sullivan; her grandchildren Jaime (Nathan) Howe, Vince (Kristy) Parisi, Joey (Jamie) Parisi, Tory (Tyler) Kehoe, and Garrett (Kaity) Denman; her great-grandchildren Addison and Olivia Howe, Maleah Parisi, Hudson Kehoe, and Carter Denman; and many nieces and nephews.
Joan was preceded in death by her husband Vince, parents Frank Sullivan and Helen (Leonard) Johnsrud, brother Jim (Alberta) Sullivan, sisters Maxine (Phil) Meyers and Marlene (John) Martinez.
Visitation will be held at Cress Funeral Home, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison on Monday, December 19, 2016 from 4:00pm-7:00pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Good Shepherd Parish at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1905 West Beltline Highway, Madison, Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at 11:00am, with a visitation from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. A private burial will follow the funeral service at Resurrection Cemetery in Madison.
Our family is very thankful for the care that was provided to our mother the past three plus years by the wonderful staff at Kindred Hearts and their kind and compassionate care, not to mention the never ending requests for "a cup of coffee for Jo". In addition, a special thank you to Agrace Hospice for their care during this time. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Alzheimer's Association South Central Wisconsin, 2820 Walton Commons, Suite 132, Madison, WI 53718.
Mom, you and Dad were true inspirations to us, providing great work ethic and love that has been passed on to your children and grandchildren, and will be further passed along to your great grandchildren. We will miss you Mom, but know that you are in a much better place, back together with Dad.
Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road, Madison
608-238-3434
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