Joan Pamela Marcello Sr.
July 31, 1924 - January 05, 2013
"She brought a little cheer & sunshine to everyone she met - a real treasure."
The last of her kind in our family, from the World War II generation. Joan was born July 31, 1924 in County Bella Terrance Newport, Wales to parents of Irish and English decent. Joan passed January 5, 2013 in Shoreline, Washington.
She was the youngest of 4 daughters. Only 15 years of age, when she lost her father to a railroad accident in South Wales. Grace (Joan’s mother) decided to take in borders and sewing on the side to keep supporting her family. All of Joan’s sisters and self knew about hard work early on to find their way in life. They were sensitive times but still found a way to laugh together. Our Joan of Arch (Mom) was small in stature, but mighty in spirit with chestnut auburn hair and expressive bright blue eyes.
One fabulous day at 16 years of age, she met the love her life. Joan (Mom) depart from a bus in town. When all of a sudden, in her path, she caught the dark eyes of a handsome American GI. He had been serving in the Army and stationed in England. WOW! Instant electricity, butterflies, hearts beating quickly for both of them. Cupid struck twice. Fell head over heals in love. Met Grace – Joan’s (Mom). She fell in love with him too! Said, “that’s for my daughter”.
Joan married Salvatore Marcello, Sr. at 18 years of age in the Church of England. Joan and Salvatore (Sal) were married for 57 years. At 19 years old gave birth to baby girl, Toni. Enjoying the time with her English family. Joan now 20 years old, with new infant on her own, set sight for America to meet her new family. Came to the US with her new born on the Queen Mary and settled in New York.
Adjusting to the new life in New York City, exciting, colorful, faster pace, worlds different from her place of birth. By now her husband Sal is out of the Army. Living in the Bronx with their 2nd baby girl, Pamela. A year goes by and a third child born, their first baby boy, Salvatore, Jr. So, Joan and Sal found a lovely Cape Cod home in Long Island. Enjoying the new suburban live style from over crowded city. It was a great place to live, all new and clean, a wonderful area to raise children. September of 1950 their 4th child, a baby girl born, Lynn came into the world with special needs. What an angel! She was very small for her age. Beautiful dark hair and eyes, a smile and laughter that would steal your heart.
By now the war had ended in England. Joan’s (Mom) and (Auntie) also wanted the life in America. They all came through our home in Long Island. It was like Grand Central Station II. Joan and Sal extended their home and hospitality and also helped family with the red tape and showed them the ways, so they all could make it in America. Wonderful times, lots of stories and laughter, songs shared in our family.
English family all moved to the big Northwest, evergreen state. Grace – Joan’s (Mom) wrote to Joan telling good news, wonderful schools in Seattle, Washington and for children with special needs. New way of life. Traveled by motor home across country 3,500 miles with four children. Joan found lovely ranch style 3-bedroom home in Shoreline District. So busy with life, didn’t realize she was with child, 7 months. Here comes June baby boy, Victore. Lots of fun times as a family!
The family grew and more income was needed for the Marcello family. Her Sal had his own business in Lake City. Joan, now working at Northgate Mall in Ladies Apparel at Lerner’s Shop, including baby and teenage apparel. She was excellent in her field, a real go-getter, loved people from all walks of life. In 30 years of retail, never, never met a stranger. They loved Joan (Mom)! She loved to sing and dance, and gave of her time to many people in the area.
Joan and Sal retired in Edmonds, Washington and continued to live life with a purpose. They also spent time at their homes in Birch Bay, WA and Palm Springs, CA and loved to vacation in Hawaii. Preceded in death by her beloved husband Salvatore Sr. and amazing daughter Lynn. Survived by children Toni, Pamela, Sal Jr. & Vic, grandchildren, Paul, Gina, Anna Marie & Johnny great grandchildren, Paul Jr., Sydney & Aidan & many nieces & nephews.
Please sign Joan's guest book available at the link to the upper right.
FUNERAL INFORMATION
Memorial celebration service January 26th @ 2:00 pm Westgate Chapel 22901 Edmonds Way, Edmonds, WA. Please note map and directions link below.
Memorial
All is Well
Death is nothing at all.
I have only slipped away into the next room.
I am I, you are you.
Whatever we were to each other, that we still are.
Call me by my old familiar name,
speak to me in the easy way you always used to.
Put no difference in your tone,
wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Let my name be ever the household word it always was,
let it be spoken without effort,
without the trace of a shadow on it.
Life means all that it ever meant.
Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you, for an interval,
somewhere very near, just round the corner.
All is well.
Henry Scott Holland
Memory
Like a shell on the beach...
My memory lingers on....
The waves carry them in...
The sand erodes their shape
The rain buries them low...
The sun shines them gold...
A stranger picks it up... Seals it in his palm....
Throws it back into the sea
There in the depth of time..
My memory lingers on.
Prabha Trimurty