Joan D’Arienzo was born and raised in Greenpoint’s Irish community. She was born on Oakland Street, which in 1964 was renamed McGuiness Boulevard. It was still Oakland Street when she left in 1958, on the occasion of marrying John A. D’Arienzo. They made a home and raised their family on Skillman Avenue, and she lived there the rest of her life.
“My Mom never had a formal job, although raising five boys and helping out in the funeral home was her claim to fame. She loved to cook and adored her nine grandchildren and Nicole, [grandson] Michael’s fiancée,” said her son, John D’Arienzo. The D’Arienzo Funeral Home is the family business started in 1934, which her son, John, now runs.
Joan was active in Saint Francis of Paola Church where she played Bingo and attended the Golden Age Club. She appreciated the simple things and dearly loved her family.
Joan D’Arienzo’s husband, John A. D’Arienzo; her parents, Oliver and Christina Mc Mahon; and brothers, Edward Mc Mahon, Bernard Mc Mahon, and Jack Mc Mann preceded her in death. She is survived by her sons: Peter, John, Paul, Andrew, and Dennis; daughter-in-laws: Laurie, Annette, Carmela, Anna, and Liz; grandchildren: Michael & Nicole, Gregory, Olivia, Sophia, Carmela, Alexa, Christina, Annalisa, and Gianna; brother-in-law, Dr. Nicholas D’Arienzo, and sister-in-law, Arlene D’Arienzo.
In lieu of flowers the family suggested memorial donation in Joan’s memory could be made to a charity of choice.
The Greenline 