Jo Anne M. Leone, 71, of Fredonia died Wednesday morning (Aug. 16, 2023) at her home with Jerry and family members at her side. She fought a very courageous battle with lung cancer for 9 years.
She was born Jan. 18, 1952 in Jamestown, the daughter of the late Anthony and Angeline (Gatto) Leone.
A lifelong resident of Fredonia, Jo Anne was a graduate of Fredonia High School, class of 1970 and a graduate of Erie Community College in Buffalo, NY. She retired as the lead scheduler for Chautauqua Opportunities in Dunkirk. Prior to her employment at Chautauqua Opportunities, Jo Anne worked as a medical assistant in several local physicians offices including Dr Heinemann, Dr Cracium, Dr Landis.
Survivors include her loving companion of 27 years, Gerald “Jerry” Bialaszewski of Fredonia; three daughters, Jennifer (Darnell) Lockett of Clarksville, TN, Sarah (Casey Lockett) Kalfas of Dunkirk, and Katie Ward of Dayton, OH; three grandchildren, Danielle Kalfas, DaVanna Lockett, and Bronx Lockett; and one great granddaughter, Ke’lani Banks. Jo Anne was also survived by her companions children Julie (Ryan) Watts of Leander, TX, Ryan (Sarah) Bialaszewski of Tampa, FL, granddaughter Logan Watts, and many loving aunts, cousins and friends.
During her lifetime, Jo Anne was a member of the past Fredonia Jayncees in which she held the position of President for several years, she spent numerous seasons coaching Fredonia Girls Softball, and volunteered for many years at The Taste of Buffalo and The National Chicken Wing Fest in Buffalo benefitting The Western New York Alzheimer’s Association . She has also volunteered at most fundraising events at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. Jo Anne enjoyed the time she spent bowling in the leagues that Jerry and her were members of.
Along with her best friend, Jerry, Jo Anne enjoyed traveling to numerous locations including Tortola(BVI), Bahamas, Puerto Rico and many other islands too numerous to mention. She also enjoyed Cruising in the Caribbean. Together they attended many sporting events. Jo Anne was an avid fan of the Buffalo Bills (season ticket holder for many years), Buffalo Sabres and the New York Yankees. They also attend many home and away games for the New York Yankees, and did make many trips to Tampa to watch them in training camp.
Jo Anne was loved by all that knew her. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends, relatives and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Mass which will be celebrated Wednesday, Aug. 23, at 10 a.m. in Holy Trinity Church officiated by Jo Anne’s first cousin, Father Joseph Gatto . There will be no prior visitation.
In lieu of flower, memorials may be made to Chautauqua Hospice and Palliative Care, 20 W. Fairmount Avenue, Lakewood, NY 14750 or Roswell Park Cancer Institute. Arrangements are by the McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home.
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