JoAnn P. Belgiovene, a retired Cooke School kindergarten teacher with the Monticello Central Schools, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 8, 2025 at her home in Rock Hill surrounded by her loving family. She was 77.

The daughter of the late William Penza and Josephine Buscemi Penza, she was born March 25, 1948 in Vineland, NJ.

JoAnn was an undergraduate of Trenton State College where she was a member of Gamma Sigma, and went on to graduate from the College of New Rochelle with her Masters Degree in Education. For 24 years, JoAnn found her calling teaching kindergarten, where she shared her boundless patience, creativity, and joy. She delighted in showing her students how to make holiday latkes and cookies and guided them through countless hands-on crafts that filled her classroom with laughter and learning.

JoAnn’s greatest joy, however, was spending time with her family—boating and camping on the islands of Lake George, visiting loved ones at the Jersey Shore, going to car shows, and traveling with her devoted husband, Tom. She treasured her role as “team mom” throughout her boys’ Little League years and later continued to cheer on her grandsons from the stands. She loved watching their videos, whether they were out on the field or enjoying their new passion for driving anything fast—go-karts, vintage trikes, four-wheelers, and cars.

JoAnn will be remembered for her kindness, generosity, and unwavering devotion to those she loved.

She is survived by her husband of 53 years: Thomas, at home; two sons: Michael (Siobhan) and Steven (Colleen); three grandsons: Anthony, Christopher and Nathan; brother-in-law: Joseph Stancati and goddaughters: Melissa Stancati Blum and Krista Stancati Crumrine; sisters-in-law: Martha Binetti, Theresa Cirilli; brothers-in-law: Frank and Joseph Belgiovene; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces & great-nephews. She was predeceased by an infant daughter: Ann, and her beloved sister: Marlene Stancatti.

Family and friends are invited to gather on Saturday, November 15 from 11:00am to 2:00pm at the VanInwegen-Kenny Funeral Home, 111 Sullivan Street in Wurtsboro with a funeral service starting at 1:45pm. Cremation will follow the services and interment of her ashes will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties www.hospiceoforange.com or to the Rock Hill Volunteer Ambulance Corps  www.rockhillems.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of the VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home of Wurtsboro. For additional information or to send an online condolence, please visit www.kennyfuneralhome.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of JoAnn, please visit the floral store at www.kennyfuneralhome.com.