Ms. Joan Vincent Fanello

Joan was born on January 21, 1932, in Washington, D.C. to William Howard Vincent & Gertrude Wilcox Vincent. Growing up, Joan adored big band music from artists like Arty Shaw and Jimmy Dorsey. She frequently sang with the house band when she wasn’t dancing the night away at the Beverly Beach Club in Maryland. Her beauty and grace were displayed in a calendar for the U.S. Marines during World War II and she was honored as a Queen of the International Order of Job’s Daughters.

Joan was voted “Most Popular” and “Most Attractive” at McKinley Technical High School, where she was Class President and captain of the cheer team. It’s there where Joan met her high school sweetheart, Robert Eugene Graves, Sr, whom she fondly described as having skinny legs and big ears that he fortunately grew into. It was love at first sight, though his best friend would joke that Joan was only dating Robert for his mother’s 1947 Buick Roadmaster.

Her marriage to Robert Graves after graduation allowed Joan to achieve her childhood dream of raising a family. Her loving and vibrant nature was always on display as she nurtured her daughters Cynthia (Michael), Andrea (Ken), Kerry (Bruce); and son, Robert Jr. (Cathy). Her husband’s work took their growing family to New Hampshire, Maine, Michigan, California, New Jersey, and Virginia. Joan absolutely adored her family, but she particularly loved every moment of her time raising her children.

Joan later worked as a dispatcher at Western Union’s satellite communications division, where she met her second husband, Robert William Fanello. She was attracted to his confidence and lighthearted nature while feeling comforted when he would hold her hand when driving or walking together. They lived in Virginia for some time before settling in Fort Myers, Florida, 30 years ago. In retirement, they traveled Europe and the Caribbean and would avidly watch football together until his passing in 2002.

Her positivity and beauty brightened everyone around her, and she will be dearly missed by her four children, twelve grandchildren, and several great-grandchildren who survive her passing.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org), Dementia Society of America (dementiasociety.org), or Joanne’s House (hopehospice.org).

Online condolences may be made at Neptune Society in Fort Myers, Florida (neptunesociety.com).