Johanna Lambiase's Obituary
FREMONT, Calif. – Johanna Marchetti Lambiase, a loving, witty and tough New Yorker who
raised five children and held the post of matriarch over a span of decades across two coasts,
died August 11, 2023. She was 85.
Johanna passed away completely surrounded by the love of her family in a Fremont hospital
after a chronic heart condition worsened, bringing on an expedited decline in her health in
recent months.
She was born in Queens on June 14, 1938 at Flushing Hospital in New York, and raised in
nearby Corona by parents Maria and Giovanni Marchetti, both Italian immigrants. They lovingly
called her “Giovannina.” She had six siblings, five of whom preceded her in death; Angie, John,
Vincent (who died at age 2), Vinnie and Connie. She and her husband Julius Lambiase were
married for more than 60 years when he passed away in 2017 at the age of 95.
She is survived by her five children Gary, John, Lorraine, Marie and Debbie, as well as her
younger sister Mary, and a large bunch of adoring grandchildren, great grandchildren and
great-great grandchildren.
Johanna was affectionately known as Joanie to many friends and family members, and was at
times called Joan, Miss Joanie, Mommy, Ma, Aunt Joan, and to her grandchildren, Noni.
Johanna attended schools in Corona, and even as a young girl, showed her immense heart and
care for others, helping to bathe her younger siblings at age 10, making runs down the block to
pick up chicken from the market and bread from Mangiapane Bakery.
She lived in Queens until the age of 16 when her family moved to the Bronx, where she later
met and soon married Julius, a dashing letter carrier and moonlighting crooner and musician.
Just before Johanna’s 19th birthday, she gave birth to her first child, Gary. From there, she took
on a world of responsibility of giving birth to, raising and wrangling five children, while running
and keeping a three-story household clean and on a tight budget. “She used chopped meat in
very creative ways,” her sister Mary recalled.
But Johanna’s home on Strang Avenue was always a special gathering place for her kids and
their friends, especially on Sundays for a veritable feast of meatballs and macaroni topped with
an all-day simmering tomato sauce — the gravy.
Johanna’s artistic streak helped inspire her children, and as a PTA mom she painted backdrops
for the children’s school plays at P.S. 68. She used her creativity in sewing and drawing with the
kids.
Jules and Joan made sure the kids had plenty of family outings on weekends, stuffing them all
into the light blue Plymouth station wagon and taking them to Orchard Beach, Glen Island,
Nathan’s Arcade or Rye Playland.
She loved playing the radio at home and really got into country music in the 70’s, becoming a
fan of both the DJ’s including Stan Martin and artists like Charley Pride, Don Williams, Eddy
Arnold, George Strait, Barbara Mandrell, and Linda Ronstadt.
After her kids reached adolescence, Johanna acquired her high school GED enabling her to join
the workforce, dabbling in nonprofit and retail jobs before landing an administrative role in the
county clerk’s office on the 88th floor of the World Trade Center in Manhattan. It was her last job
in New York as Jules and Joan moved west to Fremont, California in 1980.
The Lambiase adult children either accompanied their mom and dad or followed shortly, bringing
her closest community with her. She continued her clerical work at Alameda County’s Assessor
office in Oakland until the early 1990’s.
She was her husband, Jules, biggest fan, adoring him from the time they were both young,
raising a family together, and faithfully loving and caring for him throughout their long lives
together. In Jules’ older years, Johanna kept a close eye on him, serving as his eyes and ears
when his began to fade, and contributing greatly to family caretaking efforts. She and Jules were
blessed with the compassionate caregiving of Diane and Arlene in their time of need.
For Johanna, her life in Fremont meant the start of her long run as grandma to great-great
grandma, which brought her many joys. She returned the favor, ensuring the newest family
members were spoiled with hugs and play time, and offerings of goodies.
Noni reliably called with a rendition of Happy Birthday on each grandchild’s special day, and
they could also count on a Jacqueline Lawson e-card sent to their inbox around 1 a.m. or later.
As grandchildren matured, Noni shared with them possibly her most well-known trait, a sharp as
a tack, observant mind and the playful quips to go with it.
Noni showed her love in many ways, but grandkids knew they were cared for if Noni sassed
them about their clothes, hairstyles, weight gain and loss, cuisine preferences and choice of
romantic partners, among other topics.
To her last days, Noni entertained friends and family alike with her commentary, including the
occasional dirty joke.
Johanna’s great love for others, humor and and her bright and resilient spirit will live forever within
the hearts of her entire family and friends
What’s your fondest memory of Johanna?
What’s a lesson you learned from Johanna?
Share a story where Johanna's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Johanna you’ll never forget.
How did Johanna make you smile?