Joanne I. Polito

Joanne I. (Steele) Polito, age 85, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 30, 2022, at the Medway Country Manor in Medway, Massachusetts.  Born in Somerville, Massachusetts on July 7, 1937, she was the daughter of the late Thomas W. and Bertha (Dallmer) Steele.  She was raised in Somerville, Massachusetts with her brother, Thomas, and was cared for by her mother and stepfather, George Smith.  Joanne graduated from Somerville High School with the Class of 1955 and went on to take a clerk's position with the New England Telephone Company in Boston.

Joanne married her husband, James A. Polito, Jr, and together, they made their home in Sharon, Massachusetts, where she took on the role of a homemaker, raising and caring for her two sons.  As Eric and Michael grew up, Joanne returned to her career, taking a position with Mekert Food Service in Canton.  She went on to become a legal secretary with the Law Office of Margaret Drew in Norwood, retiring in 1998.  In her retirement, Joanne loved taking an active role in raising her grandchildren.  More recently, Joanne settled in Franklin to be closer to her sons.

Throughout her life, Joanne prided herself on keeping a clean and organized home.  She loved spending time outdoors, tending to her flower gardens, ensuring the outside of the house was just as beautiful as the inside.  After her chores were complete, Joanne enjoyed relaxing with her paintbrush, creating wonderful oil paintings of her natural surroundings.

Most of all, Joanne was devoted to her family.  She loved entertaining in her home, hosting a big Christmas Eve party for her family every year.  As a whiz in the kitchen, Joanne could create wonderful meals for any occasion, and no one ever left her house hungry.  After welcoming her daughter-in-law, Kristen, into the family, Joanne looked forward to spending time with the daughter she never had, often spending the day on an adventure to find antiques.  Joanne was overjoyed at the birth of her grandchildren, and was blessed with the title, Nana Polito. 

Loving mother of Eric J. Polito and his wife, Kristen, and Michael G. Polito all of Franklin.

Cherished Nana of Vincent E. Polito, Myles D. Polito, Siena M. Polito, and the late Dante Polito.

Sister of the late Thomas Steele.

Devoted aunt of Thomas Steele Jr. of Florida, Donna Zobrist of Florida, Karen Willette of North Carolina, Toni Steele of Florida, and Mark Steele of Washington.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Joanne's Life Celebration on Monday, January 9, 2023, from 12 to 1:30 PM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole.  A graveside service will follow at Knollwood Memorial Park in Canton at 2:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Joanne's name may be made to The Home for Little Wanderers, c/o Development Department, 10 Guest St. Fl 3, Boston, MA 02135 or at https://www.thehome.org/