JoAnn Vitanza- Stephens

Sayville, New York

August 1, 1956 -January 16, 2023

In Loving Memory

JoAnn was born in Manhattan, NY & was a life long resident of Sayville, NY.

She is predeceased by her loving husband Robert (Bob) Stephens who we lost just a few months before in November 2022.

Two hearts are once again joined. May they both now find peace & healing with each other once again.

She is also predeceased by her Mother Florence Lacatena & adopted Parents Thomasina & Nicholas Marinick Sr. (of Sayville).

She is survived by her sister

Donna Lacatena-Potenziani of Climax, NY.

JoAnn's life was a loving journey. She gave of herself to so many others. As a Psychotherapist who specialized In bereavement she guided so many through the difficult process of loss.

May she now guide all of us to a place of healing from beyond.

She was a Sayville High School graduate class of 1974, received her Masters Degree from Adelphi University & Bachelors degree SUNY Stony Brook and went on to work for Hospice of NY and later to establish her own Private Practice.

She touched a lot of people's lives and for this she will always be remembered.

JoAnn loved nothing more upon this planet than the animals. She was very heavily involved in protecting the rights of all living creatures. She had been known to protest Puppy Mills, Animal Cruelty & supported Animal Recues & No Kill Shelters. She would fight with everything she had to save the life of an animal and had no problem picketing to bring awareness & would take in strays when they came to her door. She always had a cause she was fighting for.

She was a parent to many fur babies through the years, all to which she is now reunited with in the heavens.

She will be missed for so many reasons. Her smile which lit up a room, her humor & laughter which was contagious, but most of all her loving heart & spirit and compassion for others.

May the Divine Universe welcome her with open arms, banish her sorrows & pain and fill her soul with eternal happiness and light.

A Memorial service will be held in her honor which will be for Family only.

The family asks that if you wish to celebrate her life please send a donation to one of these her favorite organizations in her honor or contact the The Arbor Day Foundation to have a Tree planted in memory.

ASPCA

FRIENDS OF ANIMALS

ALLEY CAT ALLIES

ELEPHANT SAUNTUARY of Tenn.

AMERICAN HUMANE SOCIETY

SAVE THE WHALES

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