Jo Ann Barberi

Jo Ann Barberi

March 7, 1943 - Oct. 19, 2023

SAINT HELENA - Our dear mother Jo Ann Barberi passed away unexpectedly in her home on October 19, 2023. She was 80 years old.

Jo Ann was born in Santa Maria, CA, and with her family moved to Calistoga at the age of seven years old where she grew up. She graduated from Calistoga High School in 1961.

After high school she got her beautician license, moved to St. Helena, and married Robert Barberi. It is there that she raised her family.

After their divorce, she worked for over twenty years in the wine industry, doing quality assurance duties and for many years as a cellar worker, something she was very proud of.

Jo Ann was a self-sufficient woman and lived independently for over forty years until her death. She was very handy, from building her own chicken coop to laying bathroom tile. If something needed doing, she would do it herself.

She was hard-working, artistic and loved animals. She had a sly and irreverent sense of humor, an unforgettable laugh, and didn't take any guff from anyone. She enjoyed her time alone, reading books, playing solitaire and hanging out with her cats. She was kind and trustful. Whatever came her way, she dealt with it, kept her head high and soldiered on.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Linus and Elaine Smith; and is survived by her children: Michele (Jerry), Gina (Dave), Michael (Amy); and grandchildren: Jillian, Jessica, Peter and Luke.

At her request there will be no service.