Joanne Varanelli

It is with great sadness that we mourn the loss of Joanne Mary Varanelli, 55, of Waterbury, who passed away on January 4, 2024, at Saint Mary's Hospital, surrounded by her loved ones.

She was the daughter and best friend of Louise Varanelli, whom she made her home with, and the late John Joseph Varanelli, Sr.. She was an incredibly special person.

Joanne was born in Waterbury, on November 25, 1968. She graduated from Wilby High School, where she especially loved math and spelling.

She loved attending the Special Olympics, in which she had won several medals in golf, swimming, and bicycling. Joanne enjoyed camping on weekends, and attending summer camp sessions at Camp Horizons. Daily, she attended an Easter Seals program, where she socialized with others, built puzzles, wrote words, and completed math problems in her notebook.

Among Joanne's favorite hobbies was watching and following the New York Yankees baseball team. She always knew the name of every single player, as well as all of their stats. She loved watching the UCONN girls basketball team play, the "Golden Girls," and most of all, "Criminal Minds." Family celebrations were among Joanne's favorite activities, as well as playing dominoes, coffee time at Antoinette's house, and playing the game "Trouble" at Maria's. Joanne will be greatly missed by all who touched her life.

In addition to her mother and best friend, Joanne leaves behind to cherish her memory, her siblings: Nicholas Varanelli and his wife, Fran, Antoinette Towle and her husband, Dana, Thomas Varanelli and his wife, Holly, Maria McCoy and her husband,  Robert, and Patricia Burgess and her husband, Jeff, as well as many nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind her aide and friend, Ileana. Joanne is especially missed by her dog and constant companion, Stella, who is still looking for her.

Besides her father, Joanne is predeceased by her oldest brother, John Varanelli, Jr..

A Gathering of Family and Friends will be held on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, from 5:00 -7:00 pm, at Colasanto Funeral Home, 932 Bank St. Waterbury. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am, on Wednesday, January 10, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, 785 Highland Ave., Waterbury. Burial to follow at Calvary Cemetery, 2324 E. Main St., Waterbury.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:
Camp Horizons
P.O. Box 323
South Windham, CT 06266

Easterseals Serving Greater Waterbury, Central, and Northwest CT
Attn: Development Department
22 Tompkins St.
Waterbury, CT 06708

Special Olympics Connecticut
2666 State St. Suite 1
Hamden, CT 06517

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