Joan Denise Falzarano, known as "Giovanna", age 80, of Saugus, MA, passed away unexpectedly at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge on Wednesday, July 31, 2024.  She was born on August 12, 1943, in Centrache, in the province of Catanzaro, in the region of Calabria, Italy, to Vito and Teresa Murgida.

She married George Marshall Falzarano Sr. in 1971, raised six loving children and was dedicated to them in all aspects of their lives.  She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, and nurse's aide. Attending Sunday mass at St Margaret's in Saugus was a weekly event growing up, where the family would fill the entire pew. This would be followed by a trip to the bakery next door for a loaf of bread, hermits, and the occasional donut. Since mom did not drive, the family often walked a mile home together.  She worked the night shift as a nurse's aide at the Hammersmith Nursing Home for more than 20 years, taking great pride in caring for the sick. Previously she was a professional hairstylist. She had a special relationship with all fourteen of her grandchildren and taught them their prayers, hoping that they would someday meet her in Heaven.  We will especially miss her many words of wisdom, which she always shared when we needed it most. Her memory will live on in the lives of everyone she touched.

She was preceded in death by her biological parents, Vito and Teresa; her adopted parents, Charles Compagnone and Margarette Ozella; her husband, George M. Falzarano Sr.; her son, Thomas Falzarano;  her sister, Maria Montesano; her brother, William Compagnone; and many other beloved family members and friends.

Dear and devoted mother of late Col. Thomas Falzarano and his wife, Stacey, of FL; Charles Falzarano and his wife, Kory, of Lakeville; George Falzarano Jr. and his wife, Melanie Desiderio, of Whitman; Mary Ellen Falzarano and her fiancé Vincent Lamberti, of Milford; Theresa Tao and her husband David, of North Andover; and Joanne Falzarano of Saugus.  Beloved sister of Anna Di Giorgio, and Vito Murgida and wife, Rosaria, of Toronto, CA.  Cherished grandmother to 14 grandchildren: Trevor (29), Spencer (22), Eddie (17), Nicholas (15), Matthew (13), Lilyana (11), Sarah (11), Sophia (11), Michael (10), Thomas (9), Lucas (9), Aaliyah (9), Luciano (7), and Valentina (5). Beloved aunt to many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Joan's visiting hours in the Cafasso & Sons Funeral Home, 65 Clark St. (Corner of Main St.) EVERETT, Friday, August 23, 2024 from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. You can pay your final respects at the Funeral Home Saturday, August 24 starting at 8:30 a.m. followed by her Funeral Mass in St. Margaret's Church, 431 Lincoln Ave., Saugus at 10:00 a.m. Interment at the Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden. Parking with attendants on duty.

Following the funeral services, please join us for a celebration of life at Joan's home at 2:00 p.m.