Joanne Columbus Tommasone, 68 of West Pittsburg passed away the afternoon of April 16, 2016 at Shenango Presbyterian Senior Care.

She was born in New Castle on August 4, 1947, the daughter of Mario J. and Julia L. Caravella Tuminella. Her parents survive in West Pittsburg. Joanne is survived by her loving husband of over twenty years, Anthony Tommasone whom she married on July 28, 1995. She is preceded in death on October 23, 1990, by her first husband, Douglas M. Columbus, whom she married on June 27, 1970.

Joanne was a devoted and very active member of St. Vincent De Paul Parish. Joanne earned her Bachelor of Science and Master degrees in teaching from Slippery Rock University and Westminster College. In her earlier years, Joanne taught in the Ellwood City School District. She went on to become a substitute teacher in the New Castle School District, and eventually retired in 2010 from the Lawrence County Vocational Technical School.

Joanne was known for her love of teaching and in helping her community and church. She enjoyed traveling and reading. Joanne had a zest for life, loved meeting new people and touched many lives. She will be sadly missed by all her family and friends.

In addition to her parents and husband, Joanne is survived by her four children, Douglas C. Columbus and his wife Nichole of New Castle, Daniel M. Columbus and his fiancé Angela Reberio of Pittsburgh, Nicholas M. Columbus of West Pittsburg, Robert D. Columbus of Pittsburgh; her sisters, Mary Jean Tuminella, Janice Rhodes and her husband Dennis, both of West Pittsburg; and her three grandchildren whom she cherished, Alexandra, Christina and Mario.

Visitation is Tuesday from 4:00PM to 8:00PM at the Ed and Don DeCarbo Funeral Home and Crematory 941 S. Mill St.

A procession will leave the funeral home on Wednesday at 9:30AM for St. Vincent de Paul Church where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00AM officiated by Rev. Father Thomas Sparacino.

Burial will take place in Locust Grove Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be mailed and made in Joanne’s memory to Family Hospice and Palliative Care 50 Moffett St. Pittsburgh, PA 15243 or to the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center 3459 5th Ave. 4 West Montefiore Hospital Pittsburgh, PA 15213 Attn: Leslie Dunn.