JoAnn B. (Dillabough) DiFulvio

JoAnn B. DiFulvio, 75, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend passed away peacefully surrounded with love and her family on September 6, 2023. She was born in Syracuse on August 9, 1948, to the late Iva-Belle (Sanderson) and Ebert Dillabough. Before graduating from Cato-Meridian High School in 1966, she was already working to help support her family due to her father’s long-term illness. It was that level of dedication and her heart that would guide JoAnn through her successful life. Professionally, JoAnn was highly respected in her sales and marketing career for strategizing with her clients, helping them realize their companies’ objectives, always going above and beyond. She trailblazed in the 1980’s working for a tool and die company which was historically a male dominated industry. She catapulted her career by going to work for Thomas Publishing Company out of New York City, first working in New York and then taking a promotion to manage the North Texas/Oklahoma territory. Her heart had always remained in New York though and she returned to Syracuse finishing her impressive career working for Advance Media New York at Syracuse.com. Personally, JoAnn found lasting love after returning to New York. For the last 25 years, she built a life with Vinny prioritizing family and friendships. No matter if they were hosting parties, boating, or making their yearly snowbird pilgrimage to North Myrtle Beach, friendship and fun was at the center of her life. She was an incredible friend to many. If she was in your corner, she would go to the ends of the earth for you. Her children, Sherrie and Zachary “Darrell” were the first loves of her life. After becoming a single mother, JoAnn went back to school to better provide for her children. Being the dedicated mother that she was, she showed her children that they could do anything they set their minds to using herself as an example. She was the kind of mother who didn’t just tell her children how much she loved them, she showed them through her actions. The love she had for her children immediately expanded to include her children’s spouses and incrementally increased with the births of her grandchildren. They quickly became the apples of her eye and her motivation for pushing forward. She took every opportunity that she could to spend time with her children, grandchildren, and friends. Even though there was physical distance between her and her grandchildren, she never missed a grandparents’ breakfast at their schools or the opportunity at being an occasional mystery reader. And boy would she light up around her grandbabies. Most who knew JoAnn would describe her as strong, resilient, and brave for moving through the multiple health challenges that she faced over the years, and she was. Without fail, JoAnn would focus on the next right thing, putting one foot in front of the other with a smile even when the odds were stacked against her. And they often were. But she was so much more than her ability to persevere. She was the most kindhearted genuine person you’d ever want to meet. She consistently looked for ways to make the world around her better. She would routinely sponsor a family in need around the holidays. She anonymously purchased warm winter socks for an entire assisted living facility one year or she simply would over tip wait staff around the holidays, just because. She also volunteered in the “Just Say No” campaign in public schools bringing awareness to the dangers of substance abuse. There are countless other similar love offerings that she carried out like this that made her special. JoAnn was a lifelong avid reader, loved to work on crossword puzzles, enjoyed traveling and mastered baking. She often enjoyed a sweet treat with a cup of tea. She was a beautiful woman who carried herself with poise and grace. She was so well loved because she so freely gave love. Her death leaves an unimaginable void in the lives of those who loved her. She is survived by her husband, Vincent V. DiFulvio; daughter, Sherrie A. Ray of Queensbury NY; two sons, Zachary “Darrell” (Michael) Juno of Atlanta, GA; Patrick Mylod of Queensbury NY; step-son, Jason (Georgia) DiFulvio of Westminster, CO; grandchildren, Gavin, Cassidy, Ava, Dyllan, Preston, Asher and Noah, along with several nieces, nephews and friends. Funeral services will be held at 9:00 am on Monday, September 11, 2023 at the THOMAS J. PIRRO JR. FUNERAL HOME, followed by a funeral Mass in celebration of JoAnn’s life at 10:00 am in St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 47 Syracuse Street, Baldwinsville, NY. Family and friends may call from 2:00 – 4:00 pm on Sunday, September 10, 2023 at the THOMAS J. PIRRO JR. FUNERAL HOME, 3401 Vickery Rd. (corner of Buckley Rd.) North Syracuse, NY. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Kidney Cancer Research Alliance (KCCure), 2800 Eisenhower Avenue, Suite 220 #C18, Alexandria, VA 22314.

JoAnn B. (Dillabough) DiFulvio

August 9, 1948 - September 6, 2023