PORTLAND – Johanne Marie Nappi, better known as “Jo-Jo”, “Jody”, “Jo-Jo Bananas”, or “twinkle toes” to those closest to her, passed away Feb. 7, 2022, surrounded by her family.

Jody was born Jan. 5, 1941, on Munjoy Hill to John Francis and Mary H. Rafferty. She graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy in 1959, with her life-long friends Martha Collucci, and Judy Bottomly. The triumvirate was known in certain circles as the original “Charlies Angels.” When asked to describe Jody, all who knew her would use the terms, “life of the party,” and “joyous and kind.” Many would add the word, “Elegant.” Martha explained her best when she said, “There will never be another like her.”

Jody began working full time for New England Telephone in 1959 and continued working there until her retirement over 40 years later. During that time, she met her dear friend, Donna Sabatino, with whom she shared many laughs and quite a few travel adventures that always included some hilarious stories comparable to the antics of Lucy and Ethel. Jody was a Portland-lifer, but loved traveling and seeing the world, as long as it was done with the comforts of home. While traversing the globe with family and friends, she visited Ireland, Italy, Japan, Aruba, Hawaii, and many of the warmer parts of the continental United States. While not quite a snowbird, she found catharsis and love of the beach in Marco Island, Florida, which she considered one of the most beautiful places she’d seen.

In the late ’60s, Jody met and married the love of her life, Samuel Nappi. Together they had three children, Jeffery (her golden boy) and his partner Nicole LaChance, Jenna and her husband Donald Murphy and Maria and her husband Christian Viggiano. Their home was constantly filled with love, laughter, and joy, due in large part to Jody’s big heart, perpetual smile, and delightful laugh.

The house was the site of most family parties, including Jody’s amazing yearly Christmas bashes. She would cook for days prior to the event in order to feed and entertain scores of family and friends. Furthermore, as one of the few homes with a pool in the back yard, in the 1970s, it was the location for all to meet during the sweltering summer days. Jody had an open-door policy with regard to the pool which simply emphasized her loving and giving attitude towards others.

After retiring from the phone company, Jody was too young, outgoing, and gregarious to stay at home. She used her culinary skills to work with a catering company, and spent a few years, and more than a few dollars, working at L.L.Bean. She also spent time providing home care for the elderly.

Accentuating her jovial nature, Jody joined the Red Hat Society, a bunko group and enjoyed many outings in and around Portland, as well as trips to New York City to see Broadway shows. This was quintessential Jody. As were her catch phrases: “P is for the Party,” “Only the pretty girls get overserved,” and “Only in America Baby!”

Jody’s true passions were family, friends, reading, dancing, fine dining, and fashion and no one did it better.

During the last 15 months of her life, Jody required assistance at home. She often referred to April Ballard from, “In Caring Hands” as her “Angel.” It was wonderful to see that Jody received the same love, caring and compassion from April that she showed to everyone during her lifetime.

In addition to her children, Jody is survived by her sisters Christine Foley of Portland, Gail and her husband Norman Holden of New York; as well as a dozen nephews and nieces. Jody was fond of saying, “My boy, my boy, my only boy” to describe her son Jeffery, but much to his dismay, there was recently a young man who rivaled his mother’s affection. Michael Samuel Viggiano, her only grandchild, became the light of her life and owner of her heart. Michael, like all who knew her, will miss Jody, tremendously.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, Feb. 14 at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 673 Stevens Avenue, Portland. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, South Portland. To view Jody’s memorial page, or to share an online condolence, please visit http://www.ConroyTullyWalker.com

Those who wish may make contributions in Jody’s memory to;

Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland

P.O. Box 336

Westbrook, ME 04098 or

St. Jude Children’s Hospital

stjude.org/donatetoday

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