Mrs. Joanne M. (DePastene) Dziura

DEERFIELD - Mrs. Joanne M. (DePastene) Dziura, age 69, passed away on Wednesday, February 8, 2017 after her courageous battle against cancer for over 8 1/2 years. She fought with grace, faith, and fortitude, and the Lord answered their prayers —- Joanne passed peacefully in her home with family by her side. Born in Utica on October 19, 1947, Joanne was the daughter of the late Frank A. and Florence C. (DiPillo) DePastene. She was a graduate of T.R. Proctor High School/Class of 1965 and attended the Utica School of Beauty Culture. She then earned her license to practice as a Hairdresser and Cosmetologist. On May 25, 1974 she married Michael Dziura with whom she shared 42 inseparable years graced with endearing love and mutual respect. Mike knew he married the love of his life. Joanne worked as a hairdresser alongside her mother Florence at the Cut & Curl Beauty Salon. Concurrently, she held a position with the New York State Teamsters as a secretary and claims adjuster, a job she performed with proficiency and dedication for 26 years. She went on to work at the Hartford Insurance Company, and lastly at Blue Cross/Blue Shield Insurance Company. Joanne was an efficient employee who added to the congenial culture and climate at each workplace. Joanne was adored for her simplicity, purity, and great warmth. She could light up a room with her genuine smile. She was truly a class act, always on the arm of her husband, adorned with her leopard print outfits, right down to the jewelry, purses, and shoes. Joanne and Mike shared an unwavering loyalty and unity in raising their children. She had pride in her marriage and was a best friend to each of her children. They were the light of her life and she adored them. She was inspired to be an even better mom by being the best “Nonnie” to her grandchildren. They loved her and she was privileged to watch them every day. She had a great impact on them and they will remember her love and protection. She was always with her family either going shopping, out to eat, or spending the afternoon baking her famous cookies and cassata. Holidays were celebrated in her unique style and her home was well adorned with sentiments of her family and her eclectic style of decorating. She always made everyone feel like family and was affectionately known as “Aunt Joanne”. Joanne was a communicant of Historic Old St. John’s Church and had a deep faith and a love for her Lord. She was a faithful participant of numerous prayer groups. These faith filled friends were such an inspiration to her and she knew of their continued love and prayers. Mike and Joanne would say “We are forever endeared to you Jesus,” because Joanne and her family trusted in the teachings of the Lord. All are comforted in knowing that she is in the arms of the Angels, at home with Jesus, and reunited with those who have gone before her. Joanne is survived by her devoted husband, Mike; her children and their loves, Michael T., Jr. and Nicole Dziura, Megan and Steve Fiorentino, and Mallory and Eugenio Mercurio; her grandchildren, Olivia, Cooper, and Kensington Dziura; and Benjamin and Mia Fiorentino; and her brothers and sister-in-law, Frank DePastene, Jr. of Colorado, and James and Kim DePastene of Deerfield. She also leaves two very special sisters-in-law and a brother-in-law, Rose Ann and John Caporuscio of Fayetteville, and Kathleen Mosca of Utica; her cherished nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, including Patty Talerico, and Karen DiMetri; and her aunt and uncle, Mitzie and John DePerno. She held dear the memory and closeness she shared with her late cousin, Maryanne Jakubowski. She was blessed with many treasured friendships throughout her life, but she held close: Anna, Marilyn, Patti, and Lorraine… the ‘every dayers’, the Proctor girls who shared a monthly gathering of love. She was preceded by her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Theodore and Jane Dziura; her Tringo cousins, especially Danny “Danny Boy” LoConti; they truly adored one another. The family is grateful to Dr. Alicia DeTraglia for her comforting bedside manner and professional demeanor; each and every staff member of the Regional Cancer Center who attended to her and couldn’t wait to see what she was wearing; the personnel of Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc. who allowed Joanne to remain home with love and dignity and exceeded all the family’s needs; and to all those who offered support and prayers that were heartfelt and a source of support for Mike and family members with special mention of Lisa Piazza Dillon. Visitation will be held Monday from 4:00-8:00 at Historic Old St. John's Church, 240 Bleecker Street. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Joanne's funeral service and Celebration of Life which will commence on Tuesday morning at 10:00 at Historic Old St. John’s Church where her Mass of Christian Burial will be offered by Rev. John Buehler. Entombment will follow in Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum.

Mrs. Joanne M. (DePastene) Dziura

October 19, 1947 - February 8, 2017