Johanna Potignano

As of October 29, 2024, Johanna “Jo” Potignano will live on exuberantly through her loved ones, writing, and photographs. Born on February 7, 1939, in Newark, New Jersey, to the late Carlo and Jeannie Potignano, Jo grew up alongside her siblings: Lucille Caruso, Carol Furnari, Marie Pokol, Michael Potignano, and Carlo Potignano—one big Italian family. Naturally, as a Potignano, Jo had a memorable personality, marked by a sensitive heart, charitable nature, open-mindedness, understanding, fierce spirit, and witty sense of humor. In her youth, she straddled the role of older and younger sibling but always proved wonderful as both. Jo was known for breaking the mold and following her heart. As she became one of the oldest sisters, she took on familial responsibilities, ensuring everyone was fed and cared for. Over the years, she perfected her culinary skills. The holidays will forever be incomplete without Jo and her famous savory meatballs and aromatic ham during the holidays. After graduating from Barringer High School in 1957, she worked at the Prudential Center and ShopRite. Jo’s family grew when she met her late partner, Harold “Mac” McLean, becoming a devoted stepmother to Kathleen Turner and Debra McLean. Together, Jo and Mac embarked on significant business ventures, allowing Jo to embrace her larger-than-life personality and enjoy laughter and dancing. In her later years, Jo filled her time with storytelling, jokes, and long rounds of cards and dinners that filled the room with boisterous laughter. She also enjoyed reading, casino games (and later iPad casino and card games), bowling, and watching comfort TV shows and movies. Notably, she cherished spending quality time with family and friends, especially during Christmas Eve gatherings. Even in her final days, Jo maintained her clever sense of humor and compassionate spirit. Jo touched the hearts of many and is survived by her older sister Carol and her husband Joseph Furnari, younger brother Carlo C. Potignano and his life partner Elizabeth Parnagian, stepdaughter Kathleen "Kathy" and her husband John Turner, stepdaughter Debra McLean, grandson Kevin Brown, granddaughter Kelly and her husband Edwin Trinidad-Linares, great-grandchildren Adrian, Gabriella, and Mckayla Linares, and the loving cousin Marie Harvey and many other relatives, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. Throughout her life, she supported numerous charities, including the Wounded Warrior Project, various Native American organizations, and St. Jude. Considering Jo’s 81st birthday fundraiser in 2020 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital— in lieu of flowers, we ask that you donate to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, too, as that was her foundation of choice. As per Jo’s wishes, ash scattering at sea will be held privately in Long Beach Island, New Jersey. May Jo dance freely upon the coastal waters. We all love you, Jo.