Ann Josephine “Joanne” Diaz (nee Sica), passed away at age 75 on Saturday, October 21, 2023. Beloved daughter of the late Gaitanina (nee DeTata) and Liberato Sica; loving mother of Alicia (Bryan Sachan) Diaz and Jennifer (Steve Albrecht) Diaz; cherished grandmother of Hannah Wade, Ella Brenner and Audrey Brenner; former wife of Jim (Mary Ellen Whitelaw) Diaz; dear sister of Vincent Sica and the late Maria Theresa Sica, Victor Sica, and Ralphie Sica; dear aunt, cousin, and friend.

Ann Josephine (Joanne) Sica, was the youngest of 5 children, raised in Jersey City, New Jersey by her Italian immigrant parents. She married James Diaz in 1968 (divorced in 1993), and they had two daughters, Alicia and Jennifer. The family moved a great deal in the early days, but eventually made their home in St. Louis, Missouri. Joanne’s greatest joy was raising her two daughters. She went to work in various administrative assistant positions, but eventually, one employer, The St. Louis Post Dispatch, saw that her true calling was sales. Joanne quickly became one of their top performing advertising sales professionals. It’s been said…she could charm the birds out of trees. Her magnetic personality served her both personally and professionally.

Once retired, she found her next great joy, being a grandma. Her three granddaughters, Hannah, Ella and Audrey, were lucky to have Grandma as a constant presence in their lives.

Joanne enjoyed family and food and kept both a central part of her life. She also loved to travel to Italy to visit relatives, and thoroughly enjoyed her time at the beach visiting her sister at the Jersey Shore or Florida. She had a smile and a “hello” for everyone, and never met a stranger. She will be dearly missed by friends and family, near and far.

A  Celebration of Life will be held on November 19th. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimer’s Association in her honor, https://www.alz.org/. 

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