JoAnn L. Amato

JoAnn L. Amato, 74, of South Bend, Indiana, passed away on Thursday, April 23, 2026, with her husband Frank at her side. She was born on March 22, 1952, in Cleveland, Ohio, to the late Joseph and Jeanne (McCarthy) Lesko. On April 9, 1983, she married Frank J. Amato who survives. JoAnn is also survived by one sister Mary Beth (Robert) Peshek of Ohio as well as her brothers and sisters-in-law and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Kathy Nelson and Jeanine Derler.

JoAnn attended St. Gregory the Great in South Euclid, Ohio. She graduated from Regina High School in South Euclid. She received her bachelor’s degree from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. After college she began her teaching career at Gesu Grade School in University Heights, Ohio. While teaching there she met her husband Frank, who was coaching and teaching at John Carroll University. It was during this time that she and Frank married. From Gesu she followed Frank to Miami, Florida, where she taught at the Cushman School. After Miami she followed Frank again to South Bend, Indiana, where she first taught at St. Joseph Grade School then Jackson Middle School and finally LaSalle Academy from where she retired in 2014.

JoAnn was happiest sitting in the sun, on the beach or backyard reading a good book with a glass of pinot grigio. She loved being by the water. Her favorite sport teams were the Cleveland Browns and Cleveland Guardians (Indians). She not only supported her husband Frank, in his coaching, but also his players and assistant coaches. She was an outstanding teacher and an outstanding, friend, a friend to everyone. If you needed a friend, JoAnn was the person to go to. If you were JoAnn’s friend, she was your friend for life. JoAnn enjoyed hosting friends and family for cocktail hour or meals. If anyone left hungry or empty handed, it was their fault.

A visitation for JoAnn will be held on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Dr. South Bend, IN from 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. A Memorial Service will follow at 11:30 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made in JoAnn’s name to Resale to the Rescue, 905 W. McKinley Ave, Mishawaka, IN 46545 or Heart of The Nation, 1205 S. 70th St., West Allis, WI 53214.

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