Obituary — JoAnn Adami,
Aug. 25, 1951– May 31, 2023

CONCORD, CA (June 15, 2023) — Concord resident JoAnn Adami was an inspirational wife, mother and sister. As a wife, JoAnn stood alongside her husband Paul for 51 years.

The two went to the same high school and had some of the same friends. They knew of each other but didn’t really get to know each other until after Paul returned from Vietnam. They married on Dec. 18, 1971, in the chapel at the Presidio. Fifty years later they renewed their vows in the same spot where they married, surrounded by their loving family.

JoAnn had four children and 10 grandchildren: Nicole (Jonathon Hackett, Tyler and Lance), Celeste (Scott Schmadeke, Mackanzie and Hannah), Troy (Becky, Madelynn, Olivia and Charlette), and Melissa (Erik Benson, Blake, Athena and Aria).

JoAnn was mostly a homemaker while the children were young, occasionally cleaning houses to help make ends meet. Her house was filled with smells of home-cooked meals, music played from the stereo while the cleaning was done, and singing could always be heard. Daily phone conversations with family on the other side of the bridge, weekly drives to visit grandparents and monthly shopping trips to the commissary were routine.

JoAnn was the constant room mother for all her children and the team mom for a decade of soccer. She would sew Halloween costumes and formals for proms and homecomings. JoAnn was a gentle, selfless, committed mother.

JoAnn loved to vacation. Early vacations were mostly camping trips with the family to the Russian River, but as the family matured, JoAnn and Paul’s vacations evolved. Once they got the taste for cruising, they couldn’t be stopped. One cruise led to another and they eventually nearly cruised the world together. Other travels included an African safari, China, Guam, Japan and Russia.

JoAnn was one of five children, and the only sister in her family. She was born Aug. 25, 1951, in San Francisco, and died May 31, 2023. JoAnn had great relationships with all her brothers, three of whom preceded her in death. This group of siblings knew how to have fun and they enjoyed every holiday and celebration together dancing, laughing and singing.

JoAnn’s family did not get enough time with her. Her illness came suddenly, and her passing is shocking. Her family and friends will have a celebration of JoAnn’s life before summer ends.