Joann Marie (Doyle) Giampaolo was born October 8, 1946 in Joliet, Illinois, and died March 25, 2024. She was preceded in death by her brother, Thomas; her parents, Joseph "Red" and Nora (McCarthy) Doyle; and her husband Ronny. Jojo graduated from St. Francis Academy in 1964 and earned an Associate's degree from Joliet Junior College, followed by a Bachelor's degree from College of St. Francis in 1968.

Joann married Ron Giampaolo on August 3, 1968. They moved to Manhattan and built a huge family with 5 children: Betsy (Brian) Dobczyk, Jeff (Gwen), Julie (Dave) Daugherty, Jill (Brandon) Brenczewski, and Mike (Erin). We have many happy memories with Jojo at the center: our vacations to Yellowstone Park; playing softball in the summertime with Joann coaching; all the holidays she planned. It was risky to act up in church if you were standing next to Jo- and at the same time, she was always the first one to help when you needed it.

Joann and Ronny have fourteen grandchildren: Caitlin (Kyle) Opperman, Emily (Joey) Klahn, Casey and Brett Dobczyk; Sophia and Maddie Giampaolo; Cameron Giampaolo and Gabby and Addie Daugherty; Olivia, Alaina, and Lila Brenczewski; and Violet and Scarlett Giampaolo. Jojo was especially beloved by her grandchildren- she was always running around with them, making up fun games, and playing. She loved to have them for overnights and attended hundreds of games and performances. Joann had a talent for making every one of her grandchildren feel special and loved.

Jojo had an extraordinary gift for working with children. She was the head of St. Paul's UCC Preschool for many years, and she couldn't go anywhere in Manhattan without running into a student or a parent. Years after she retired, her students and their parents were still stopping her in public, to tell her how much they loved her.

Ireland had a special place in Joann's heart. Ronny and Joann took several trips there, and in particular they fell in love with the town of Dingle. In 2017, Jo and her five children traveled to Ireland together where Joann closed down the pubs every night, especially in Dingle- singing and clapping along to live music, and dancing to "Galway Girl" all over Ireland.

Joann loved being in the middle of every party and she was always up for anything. She made fantastic meatloaf and terrible pork chops. She had a huge impact on kids' lives as a teacher, and she was the most amazing mom and grandma. Our family was her life's main focus. Although we will miss her very much, we are proud to be Joann and Ronny's legacy, and so happy that they are together drinking Guinness and making trouble again. We look forward to being visited by two cardinals from now on.

Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Thursday, April 4, 2024 at 1:00 P.M. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 235 W. North St., Manhattan, IL. Joann will be reunited with her husband Ron immediately following Mass at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, IL at 2:30 P.M. A memorial visitation will follow burial from 4-8:00 P.M. at Forsythe Gould Funeral Home. Yes, you are reading this correctly. We are having Mass of Christian Burial followed by burial followed by visitation, all to take place on Thursday, April 4, 2024 in that order. Arrangements entrusted to Forsythe Gould Funeral Home, 507 S. State St., Manhattan, IL 60442, 815-478-3321, www.forysthegouldfh.com.