Jo Ann M. Bellanti

Jo Ann M. Bellanti, age 60, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, March 20, 2023, at her home in Wrentham, Massachusetts.  Born in Marlborough, Massachusetts on September 29, 1962, she was the daughter of the late John and Audrey (Whyte) Johnston.  She spent her early years in Marlborough, before her family settled in Dedham, Massachusetts, where she graduated from Dedham High School with the Class of 1980.  Following her graduation, Jo Ann worked in various positions before taking a job with Colpitts World Travel's Dedham office in 1984, where she began her career as a travel agent.  While her official job was with Colpitts, Jo Ann spent countless hours managing the books for her father's company, South Shore Drilling and Blasting. 

Jo Ann married her beloved husband, John A. Bellanti, on May 30, 1986, at Sacred Heart Church in Roslindale.  The young couple made their home for a short time in Dedham before purchasing a condo in Norwood, Massachusetts.  Jo Ann's experience managing her father's company books came in handy when John asked her to manage the office of his company, Bellanti Rock Splitting.  In 1996, she and John settled into their home in Wrentham, Massachusetts, where Jo Ann carved out a space for her home office, continuing to work as a travel agent and manage the books for both companies.  In her spare time, as an entrepreneur, Jo Ann founded two companies of her own, Pot Pockets and Stoned Dust.  Pot Pockets was founded to showcase Jo Ann's creative skills, building containers to hold her favorite herbs.  Stoned Dust was born from her love of gardening, utilizing the byproducts of rock drilling to create nutrient rich soil for her plants.

As an avid gardener, Jo Ann spent countless hours in her greenhouse, cultivating many of her plants from seeds.  Her backyard was full of exotic plants of all types, strategically placed around her pool to simulate a tropical paradise, often finding inspiration on one of her many trips to the islands of the Caribbean.  Jo Ann was well traveled, and while her favorite places to visit were tropical destinations, she enjoyed trips to Europe, exploring Italy and Spain, as well as countless road trips with her husband, Johnny Road King, on their Harley.  Wherever their travels brought them, Jo Ann and Johnny looked forward to trying out local cuisine, often returning home with a new recipe to try in their own kitchen.  Back at home, Jo Ann loved entertaining and knew how to throw a great party, either around the pool or inside their barn bar.  The party could start at any hour of the day and could last into the wee hours of the morning, with everyone having a great time.  Easter was by far Jo Ann's favorite holiday to host, looking forward to hiding eggs around her home and watching all her nieces and nephews hunt for them before inviting everyone inside for dinner.

Beloved wife of the late John A. Bellanti.

Loving mother of Michelle Johnston and her husband, Nick Foss, of Plainville.

Devoted daughter of the late John and Audrey (Whyte) Johnston and daughter-in-law of Lou and Patsy (Molloy) Bellanti.

Cherished sister of Jeanne Murphy and her late husband, Kevin, of Plymouth, Dr. Joyce Johnston-Neeser and her late husband, Stefan, of Concord, John Johnston, Jr. and his wife, Jill, of Wrentham, James Johnston of Newport, Vermont, and the late Carol Johnston.

Sister-in-law of James Bellanti and his wife, Diane, of New Hampshire, Michael Bellanti and his wife, Jan, of Virginia, Francis Bellanti of Braintree, and Denise Bellanti of Dedham.

Affectionately known as Cookie to her extended family, she is survived by many nieces and nephews, as well as her beloved dog, Rocko.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Jo Ann's Life Celebration on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, from 4 to 7 PM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Saint Mary's Church, 130 South Street, Wrentham on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, at 10:30 AM.  Interment will follow in Wrentham Center Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the IAFF, Local 1631, Jo Ann and John Bellanti Fund, 135 Nahatan St, Norwood, MA 02062.