Joann Cavaleri

Joann was born in 1928 to Jerry and Helen Sullivan in Claflin, Kansas. Her parents moved Joann, along with her two older brothers, Howard and Ed, to North Denver in 1933. She attended Edison Elementary School, Skinner Junior High School and graduated from North High School in 1946. Joann married the love of her life, Joe Cavaleri, in December 1947 and stayed happily married for 61 years. Together they raised 6 children, Rosanne, Mary Jo, Jeff, Cindy, Jerry and Kathy. Joann enjoyed life to the fullest. She volunteered with many organizations over her lifetime. She taught Red Cross First Aid to numerous groups including members of the FBI. She and Joe gave many years to their kids through the PTA, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and Campfire Girls. Her friends at AA always appreciated her sharp wit and wisdom. Her heart and time was given freely to the MS Society and the Colorado AIDS Project. In the late 1960's Joann earned her Associates degree in mental health work from Metropolitan State College. She worked for the Fort Logan Mental Health Center and Jefferson County Mental Health Center until she retired in 1981. Joann was an accomplished Pianist, crossword puzzle wizardess, avid reader and an excellent seamstress. In high school she was a Life Guard at Lake Side pool. She loved to Tap dance, Ball Room dance and Belly dance. She loved her cats and dogs and was a tireless mother, grandmother and great grandmother with a great great grandchild on the way. Joann enjoyed the company of her children and grand children who were constant visitors to her home on 31st avenue. She watched her kids have kids and those kids have kids and all of them swimming the summers away at Grandma Joann's. Her health may have tricked her but her wisdom, love and guidance were ever present, just as her patented kisses on the top of the head. She loved her life and family and always will.