Joan DeMayo

Joan Francis DeMayo (Cotter), 71, of Philadelphia, passed away peacefully Saturday, Oct. 10, surrounded by her daughters and devoted husband.

Born May 15, 1955, in Philadelphia to James and Katherine Cotter, Joan was the youngest of seven children and grew up in the Mayfair section of the city. Her relationships with her sisters and only brother were among her most cherished memories. Joan often shared stories of the pranks her brother, Jim, would pull on the girls, as well as one of her fondest memories with her sister: seeing the Beatles in 1966.

She graduated from St. Matt’s in 1969, then graduated from St. Hubert Catholic High School and went on to work for Hay in Center City as a secretary for several years, building friendships that lasted a lifetime.

On May 11, 1978, she married her best friend, Dennis DeMayo, and together they built a life filled with love, laughter and family.

Joan was one of a kind — a rare gem. She raised her three daughters with love, authenticity and a wonderful sense of humor. She was a genuine friend to many and always knew how to bring laughter into a room. Joan was a natural host and her family’s very own Martha Stewart. She loved to cook, craft and garden, and she had a passion for interior decorating. She waitressed at Nick’s Roast Beef for nearly 15 years, forming lasting bonds and friendships along the way. She was blessed with an amazing lifelong friend, Carol Christy, whose friendship and shared memories held a special place in her heart. Joan was known for her goofy demeanor, her love of chit-chat and her warm, approachable nature.

She is survived by her husband, Dennis DeMayo; her daughters, Deanna (James) Burke, Danielle (David) Binder and Ashley (Anthony) Lipczynski; her four grandchildren, Addison, Nolan, Anthony John and Sloane; her siblings, Geraldine Schumacher, James (Nancy) Cotter, Rosie (Frank) Ryder, Kathy Cotter (Steve) and Dolores (Joseph) DeMayo; and her beloved pups, Daisy and Daphne. She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Katherine Cotter; Bernard Schumacher; and her sister, Carolyn Cotter.

A celebration of Joan’s life will be held Thursday, Nov. 5, from 12:30 to 3 p.m. at Maggie’s on the Waterfront, 9242 N. Delaware Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19114.
The family welcomes close friends and loved ones to stop by, share a memory, offer a hug and celebrate the incredible woman Joan was. In true Joan fashion, guests are encouraged to dress in their finest and most joyful attire.