Obituary: Johanna M. (DiPaolo) Manzi; Met the Love of Her Life on Easter Sunday in 1945, Raised Five Sons

Obituary from Peterson-O’Donnell Funeral Home.

Johanna M. (DiPaolo) Manzi passed away peacefully at Florida Hospital Sunday evening with her family by her side after suffering a serious stroke the previous night in Tampa, Florida.

Johanna was born and raised in Niles, Ohio. She was the beloved daughter of the late Thomas and Gilda (Nenna) DiPaolo. Johanna moved to Beverly in 1944 and graduated from Beverly High School in1945. While in High School her first job was working for Daniel Low’s in Salem. Late in her senior year she went to work at the United Shoe as a Secretary until the start of her family in 1949.

On Easter Sunday 1945 she met the love of her life James Manzi who was home on leave from the Navy. In 1948 they were married and raised 5 sons in Beverly. During their 49 years of marriage Johanna meticulously attended to her home and also assisted in her husband’s Foundation and Home Building businesses. She also was a regular presence assisting her parents who owned and operated North Beverly Gardens. For many years she volunteered her time and assisted a number of community organizations and events including the Vittori-Rocci Post Auxiliary and Saint John’s Sodality.

Johanna’s most precious and cherished moments were times spent with her family, who will miss her every day immensely.

Surviving her are her five sons: James Jr. and his wife Susan of Tampa Florida, David and his wife Norine of Beverly, Thomas and his wife Lisa of Tampa Florida, Michael of Beverly, and Charles of Beverly. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren; Catherine Pattanayak, Elisabeth Walsh, Candice Manzi, Sally Cordero, Johanna Manzi, ThomasManzi Jr., Matthew Manzi, Aaron Manzi, Justin Manzi, Caroline Morgan, CharlesManzi Jr. and 3 great grandchildren; Sam Pattanayak, Julia Walsh and Patrick Walsh. She is also survived by 2 brothers; William DiPaolo and his wife Gigi of Topsfield, Thomas DiPaolo and his wife Carol of Peabody. She was predeceased by her husband James A. Manzi Sr. and a brother Eli DiPaolo and his wife Janie of Beverly.

ARRANGEMENTS: The funeral services for Johanna are private at the request of the family. Assisting the family with the arrangements is the Peterson-O’Donnell Funeral Home 167 Maple St., (rte 62) Danvers. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her memory to the St. Joseph’s Indian School., P.O. Box 100 Chamberlain, SD 57325-0100 or The National World War II Museum, 945 Magazine St., New Orleans, LA 70130. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfunrealservice.com