"Dear Vic, We have so many fond memories of times spent with you, Jo-Ann, and friends. What wonderful role models for us as we started our family in Lansing. Jo-Ann was truly an inspiration. Please know we are sending prayers and hugs your way. Karen and Dave Cole"
In loving memory of
Jo-Ann Mancini
November 10, 2021
Jo-Ann (Atteridge) Mancini, age 79, of West Boylston, MA, passed away November 10, 2021, after a seven month battle with lymphoma.
Jo-Ann (Atteridge) Mancini was born on June 14, 1942 in Woonsocket, RI. She attended Woonsocket High School and graduated in 1963 from the University of RI with an AB degree in history and English. In 1969 she earned a Master's in Education with a concentration in English from Springfield College where she also received a CAGS (Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study) in 1973 with a concentration in history.
Jo-Ann married Victor Mancini on July 25, 1964. Jo-Ann taught English and history at Nipmuc Regional High School in Mendon, MA, Delone Catholic High School in McSherrytown, PA, Westfield Junior High School in Westfield, MA, and Birchland Park in East Longmeadow, MA. In 1973 their son Lee was born.
The family moved to Ithaca, NY, in 1974, where Jo-Ann stayed home to raise her son. She was a substitute teacher at Lansing High School, but then in 1986 she returned to teaching full time until she retired in 2001. In Lansing Jo-Ann taught English, and founded the High School Enrichment Program for Scholastic Achievement. While teaching, Jo-Ann earned her Masters of Library Science degree from Syracuse University, and became the librarian at Lansing High School. Under her guidance and leadership, Lansing was the first school in the BOCES district to both convert to an online catalog system and to have all its schools using an online catalog. She loved her time teaching and working with students at Lansing High School.
As a teacher she served both as Lansing Faculty Association President and the district's representative to the New York State Teacher's Retirement System. Even after she retired from teaching, she served as a member of the Lansing Board of Education, continuing to give back to the Lansing community.
Jo-Ann was a lifelong learner and an avid reader. She helped teach classes on computer programming and website design. She learned how to sew and quilt with her friends. She enjoying playing golf, swimming, hiking, and gardening. She regularly swam across Cayuga Lake in order to support Women Swimmin' for Hospicare. She was a member of P.E.O. Chapter BJ, a philanthropic organization that supported women in education. She loved to volunteer her time to help others. She spent much of her retirement traveling all over the world with her husband and her friends. She made friends wherever she went, including Sarasota, FL and West Boylston, MA. Most of all she loved her friends from Ithaca and Lansing, NY, relationships she forged during the 45 years she lived there.
She always put her family first, and she loved her two granddaughters, Faith and Cara, fiercely. Her greatest joy was spending time with them playing board games, picking blueberries, going to the Science Center, watching them play sports, and eating ice cream at Purity.
Jo-Ann Mancini is survived by her husband, Victor Mancini, of West Boylston, MA, to whom she was married for 57 years. She is also survived by her son, Lee A. Mancini, his wife, Angela C. Mancini, and her two granddaughters, Faith V. Mancini and Cara M. Mancini.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Josephine (Paul) Atteridge, her father, Leon Atteridge Sr., and her brother Leon Atteridge Jr.
Her funeral Mass will be held at St. John's the Evangelist Church, 63 Church Street, Slatersville, RI on Tuesday, November 16th, at 10am, or may be viewed live at https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/3350729505 Masks are required for the service. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Holt Funeral Home, 510 S. Main St., Woonsocket, RI 02895/ In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her name to the V Foundation for Cancer Research, 14600 Weston Parkway, Cary, NC 27513 or St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Tributes
"Dear Vic, Lee and family, the Neuberts send our heartfelt sympathy. Jo Ann was a wonderful teacher and friend. Her energy never seemed to wane. She will always be remembered fondly."
"I am so sorry to hear this. I have such fond memories of our time at SU together, even including those long car rides in the winter. She was a force of nature and terrific both in the classroom and library. Lansing Schools were lucky to have her. She will be missed."
"Jo-Ann was a classmate of mine @ Woonsocket High School , class of ?59 & the University of Rhode Island , class of ?63.. we shared many classes together during those school years. I remember her as bright , popular, & well-respected. May her memory be a blessing to her family. Marjory Miller Brenner Cumberland, RI"