Joanne Goodstein

1944 - 2025

Joanne Goodstein

February 9, 1944 - November 15, 2025

Coral Gables, Florida - In Loving Memory of Joanne Goodstein

1944 – 2025

Joanne Goodstein, a glamorous, adventurous, independent woman whose life was marked by resilience, ambition, and unmistakable flair, passed away at the age of 81. Born in Manhattan in 1944 to Italian parents, she spent her early childhood in Lyndhurst, Long Island, in the family home purchased from actor Walter Matthau.

Her upbringing was far from easy. Joanne was born to older, emotionally distant, and often strict parents who sent her to all-girls Catholic boarding schools beginning at the age of three. Home offered little affection; love was scarce, expectations were rigid, and she largely navigated childhood on her own.

By the time Joanne was born, her eldest brother had already left home to join the Marines - seeking escape from the same difficult household. Her middle brother remained, but she had no real relationship with him. The family lived together in name only, and her sense of isolation growing up remained a defining truth of her early life.

These experiences shaped her deeply and are part of the reason she longed so much to create a family of her own. She married young - at just 19 years old - hoping for the warmth, love, and connection she never had.

Joanne was educated at prestigious Catholic academies including Ursuline Academy in the Bronx, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and Queen of the Rosary, and she began her career at the Equitable Insurance Company in New York City before becoming a mother to four children. Although her relationship with her children had complexities, she loved them profoundly in the ways she was capable, and they remained an important part of her life story.

Her professional life was extensive and marked by drive and determination. After moving to Florida, she worked as secretary to the President of Tampa Technical Institute, founded by her eldest brother, D. John Benanti - a relationship that grew closer only later in life. She went on to serve as secretary to the Vice President at the University of Tampa.

In 1976, Joanne moved to Miami with her family, becoming a receptionist at Dade Engineering Corp. and Insulated Panel Manufacturing in Hialeah. After a brief return to Long Island - working for the 7-11 Corporation - she eventually returned to Miami for good, where she rose into management at Dade Engineering.

She remarried in 1993, and in 1996 she became an owner of Dade Engineering, leading the business with strength and vision until the economic downturn of 2013 forced her to sell her warehouses and close operations. Even after closing her business, Joanne continued working tirelessly, taking on weekend and evening jobs - not out of necessity, but to support her active lifestyle, meet new people, and maintain her independence. She enjoyed her time at places like The Rusty Pelican and Stefano's, where she made friends and stayed connected to the world around her.

Joanne was endlessly adventurous. She lived in more than 30 homes throughout her life and traveled extensively, often treating friends or family members with remarkable generosity - and sometimes venturing off on her own with fearless independence.

In the early 2000s, she fell in love with Capri, Italy. She secured her own apartment there and spent a significant part of her life on the island, teaching herself fluent Italian and forming many deep friendships. Capri became one of the great joys of her later years.

Her passions were many: sailing, drawing and sketching, cooking, entertaining, sunbathing, Scrabble, Catty Corners, and the simple pleasure of good conversation. She adored her dog and had a soft spot for beauty, elegance, and the finer details of life.

Joanne is survived by her four children, ten grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren - each carrying pieces of her bold spirit. While her journey with family was not always easy, she loved in the ways she knew how. She continued freelancing for the company that acquired her business until the very end, embodying her lifelong determination and independence.

In keeping with her personal wishes, Joanne requested no service or memorial. She preferred to be remembered through the stories, memories, adventures, and laughter she shared with those who loved her.

Joanne lived life on her own terms - glamorous, eccentric, fiercely capable, and unapologetically herself. She will be remembered with admiration, affection, and deep appreciation by all who knew her.