Jo-Anne Patricia Scaffidi (née Henderson)

Peacefully, after facing brain cancer with remarkable courage and grace. After ten years apart, she is reunited with the love of her life, her husband, Carmelo. Treasured mummy of Laura (Marcus Filoso) and Sarah (Colin Evans), and cherished grandma to Vivi and David. Beloved daughter of Derrill Henderson and the late Vivian Henderson. She will be deeply missed by her little sister, Gail (Reg Angel). Auntie Jo-Anne will be fondly remembered by Philip, Dylan, and Steven. Dear sister-in-law of Gino (Anne Lavoy) and Teresa (Tony Leone), Zia Jo-Anne to Giannino, Dante, Anita, and Nicolina. Her absence will be deeply felt by her best friend forever, Wendy Hunt. Mourned by many other friends and family here and abroad.

Jo-Anne was well known and loved in her community as a devoted mother, grandmother, daughter, friend, volunteer, book lover, and encyclopedia of the people she loved. Through her career in tourism and travel, she had the opportunity to see so much of the world. She gave generously of her time, with a heartfelt commitment to the Hong Kong Veterans Commemorative Association, in honour of her grandfather, and was a frequent volunteer at her children’s schools, in their music programs, and in the library, where she especially treasured helping children learn to read. She loved a good book, instilling in everyone who knew her a love of storytelling, empathy for others, the joy of reading aloud with silly voices, and curiosity about the world around them.

Special thanks to Richard Arrigo, Kathy Massoud, Nancy Millen, Margaret Palmer, Delyth Johns, Sangita Patel, Erma Richard, and Leslie McCrea for all their love and support over the duration of Jo-Anne’s illness. The family is deeply grateful to Dr. Garth Nicholas, the nursing staff of the Neurosciences unit at The Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus, and Linda Nnadozie for the extraordinary care, compassion, and kindness they extended to Jo-Anne and her family throughout her journey. Friends and family may call at Tubman Funeral Homes, Westboro Chapel, 403 Richmond Road on Tuesday, October 6, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The funeral will be held at Christ Church Cathedral, 414 Sparks Street, on Wednesday, October 7, at 1:30 p.m. In memory of Jo-Anne and in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada in support of a post-secondary scholarship for music education. Please direct your gift to the Scaffidi Family Fund.