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Gracey Hinton
I was one of Miss Joanne caregiver ( mom), that what I called her, she made me feel like I was her daughter, the love she showed me every morning I go and touch her to wake her up for her meds she would smile at me so wide give me comfort . I drove 1 hour to get to her every day it was challenging at first but after the warm welcome from the whole family that drive became easy I did not mi d getting up 4.30 am to get to my mom7.00 am on time even though she gets up at 8:00, I think it was Gods doing that I cross paths with Miss Johanne( mom) for a reason so o can be the one to make her final days bearable even though she was in a lot of pain. Mom I miss you will always love you rest my love rest
Erik Mortenson
Frank and JoAnne where friends of my mother and father Wayne and Evelyn Mortenson, so sorry for your loss
Andy and Tom Moore
I was blessed to decide to call your mother just days before she passed away. I did no know she was sick and although she told me she was sick we had a few good laughs talking about the fun things we shared in the past. We are happy she is at peace in the arms of our Lord and holding your Dad’s hand. She was a dear friend and We will always remember her and your Dad. Liz will you please let me know when the service will be at Arlington. ? Thank you and Gif Bless all the family. Andy and Tom💕💕💕
Mary Ann Blackall
It was a blessing to me that I received the inquiry call from Frank & JoAnne Gallo, who wanted to learn about the lifestyle people could lead at Osprey Village. After hanging up the phone that day, I felt as if I'd known them forever and at the culmination of their first visit with me, I felt as I'd been welcomed into their family, and them into mine! JoAnne and I spent lots of telephone calls together discussing how she would turn the house they had chosen at OV into their home. She had done it many times and she was ready to do it for one last move. From the outset, she and I had a bond and I have so many wonderful memories to cherish. After I retired, JoAnne and I stayed in contact via phone calls, visits, Facebook messenger and texts. There wasn't one time that I did't hear the quip "lucky duck" whenever she and I communicated. Indeed, I am a lucky duck... I got to share time with and love an absolutely jewel of a woman, who made me feel as if I was one of her own. She touched my heart, and she shall remain in mine. Thank you JoAnne for all the wonderful memories. I'm praying for God's peace for the entire family. JoAnne will be missed greatly and never forgotten - she put an imprint on my heart!
Mary Ellen Rippert
Joanne was one of a kind so many memories too many dimension. I will miss my dear dear friend.
Scott & Denise Nile
So sorry to hear of such a great loss. I hope that all the great memories will help at this difficult time.
Tom and Andy Moore
I just happened to call JoAnne a few weeks ago and she said she was not well but did not go into details. We had a fun conversation mainly talking about the fun times we shared in Notfolk Va. living at NOB. This was in 1982. We continued to remain good friends as we all moved to Va. at the same time.We had a special visit with them in Italy when Frank Gallo was COMFAIRMED. Their quarters were magnificent and our visit both entertaining and historically interesting. A great lady, a great couple and we know they are together again in heaven. Hid bless them and all the family. Would love to hear from 1 of the girls when the ceremony at Arlington will be held. Love to all of the family. Andy and Tom
Rafffaela Marie Rizzo Fenn
This isa beautiful tribute from daughters to a loving mother. Joanne, proclaimed the word of God as a Lector at St. Michael's church. She did it with reverence, love and joy as recently as this spring. I shall miss her profound voice and loving manner.
Daniele and Jeffrey ROBBINS
Joanne was one of the most members I loved in the Clifton's women club. Always classy , funny and a joy to have as a friend. Our wish for her is: Grant eternal rest unto her soul , O Lord, and many perpetual light shine upon her.
Melody Dawkins
JoAnne Gallo was a remarkable woman whose kindness and generosity touched the lives of so many people. She frequently sent in homemade cookies with her daughter Liz Dunn that works with us at Nassau County Council on Aging. JoAnne graciously offered her time to help with projects and activities at NCCOA. Her generosity, warmth and kindness will be deeply missed.
Orsula Knowlton
May her memory be eternal!
Anna Evans
Lindy Wyman
Victoria (Akers) Taylor
I met Admiral Frank Gallo and JoAnne Gallo when they both lived at Osprey Village. I was a new waitress in their fine dining area. From the moment I bet Miss JoAnne, I knew her and I were going to become friends despite our age difference. As time went on, I became very close with her and Frank and felt as if I was a part of their family. JoAnne always helped me with my English assignments through college, she was quite the speller and writer. Knowing she is gone saddens my heart but bring be such joy to know she is with the love of her life once more. Thank you for being such a wonderful friend and “adopting” me into such a wonderful family.
Donna House Bowler
Howardo
I think the Admiral and Mrs Gallo stayed with us with Sugar for two months in Gaeta, Italy. We Loved every minute of it. I was grateful I had to go to work so I could rest up from their killer pace!! We will miss them both. 💔❤️
Margaret and Billy Steele
Aunt J you will be missed beyond measure. Our talks always lifted me and made me smile. I know you are at peace now with Frank and Sugar.
JoAnne Balch Gallo
2025-06-22
On June 22, 2025, JoAnne B. Gallo, wife of RADM S. F. Gallo (deceased), mother to three daughters and Nana to four grandchildren, died at the age of 90 on Amelia Island, Florida.
Born in 1934 in Springfield, Massachusetts, to Kenneth B. and Vera B. Balch, JoAnne moved to New York City in 1956 after graduating from Mary Hitchcock Memorial School of Nursing. At New York Hospital, her boss and close friend introduced JoAnne to her brother, Frank Gallo, who became the love of her life and partner in marriage for 65 years.
As the wife of a Naval aviator who was often gone on missions and deployments, JoAnne managed her growing family, sometimes so effortlessly we forgot how much she did solo. She packed lunches, cooked dinners, baked cookies and cupcakes on request, sewed costumes, wiped tears and bandaged scraped knees. She was at once chauffeur, chef, doctor, teacher and diplomat. In a dozen or so moves around the country, JoAnne created extraordinary homes from ordinary houses, making familiar landings in new towns for her three girls.
As a couple, JoAnne and Frank were storied entertainers from intimate dinner parties to holiday open houses, welcoming whole neighborhoods through our doors to delight in the warmth and welcome that overflowed. Food was their love language, creating lifelong connections across countries and cultures and always pulling us toward home.
As a partner to our dad, JoAnne showed us a life powered by love and steered by a measure of personal sacrifice that ensured our dad’s success. She was our dad’s favorite person, always his partner for spontaneous kitchen dancing and the subject of his extemporaneous speeches extolling her charm and beauty.
JoAnne is survived by her three daughters, Elizabeth Dunn, Anne Morris (Willard) and Katherine Finder (David); four grandchildren, Brian, Michaela, Eva and Natalie; and her sister, Janet Duda, and many dear friends.
We will miss her every day and remember her for a million little things - annual armies of Christmas cookies each in their own tin, always timely birthday cards, her love of clean sheets, a Christmas cactus that bloomed for her without fail, the tinkle of her charm bracelet, an always full bird feeder, the smell of her perfume wafting from her closet, cinnamon toast served in bed on a tray to treat most sicknesses, spot-on book recommendations, pre-travel notes sending with us her trio of angels (whom she called “the girls”), her loopy hand writing that required a measure of perseverance to decipher but always proved worth the effort.
JoAnne’s life was at once ordinary and extraordinary. She loved everyday joys as much as once-in-a-lifetime experiences. She considered herself a “lucky duck” for her life and its many rewards. While luck may have played some part, the life JoAnne created for herself, our dad and her kids was hard-fought and forged from equal parts tenderness and practicality. The impact she made is carved on our hearts, locked in our minds and will be felt for generations. Her smile made it easy to forget the toughness and bravery that always propelled her forward. JoAnne was a Daughter, Wife, Mom, Nana, Sister and Friend. She will be missed and remembered.
JoAnne will be buried with our dad at Arlington National Cemetery. A date for a graveside service will be shared when available.
Donations in JoAnne’s honor can be made to Community Hospice & Palliative Care, designated to the Jane and Bill Warner Center for Caring Give – Community Hospice Foundation.
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