Celebrant Pam Meily Vetter


	Celebrating Life Everyone Has A Story...

JoAnn Gulino was born in Amite, Louisiana, to Saveria and Vince Gulino in 1946. She was raised with four siblings: Larry, Angelo, Vince, and Marilyn. When JoAnn was young, her parents moved the family to Southern California to pursue new job opportunities. Her father worked in the textile industry, while her mother worked at the grocery store. JoAnn attended Catholic school when they were young and she had a good childhood, as the family was close. She was a wonderful sister who would do anything for you. From a young age, she enjoyed playing pool and poker. She was very talented at both and beat the boys regularly.

JoAnn excelled in school and always liked to read. She graduated from Downey High School. She quickly found work for Certified Grocers and married young. When she hired a bodyguard to protect her from her ex-husband, she fell for her bodyguard, Buddy Rankin. The couple married in 1978 and moved to New Mexico, where their first daughter was born. They named her Angela. A few years later, the couple welcomed their second daughter in Colorado and they named her Jesse. When Jesse was two-years-old, the couple grew apart and divorced. In 1986, JoAnn packed up and moved the girls to Southern California. For a single mom, it was difficult at first. The girls attended school in Seal Beach, while JoAnn worked hard to take care of her kids. They lived in a few apartments, before settling into a lovely home in Cypress. Professionally, JoAnn worked many jobs ranging from Demolition to work as an Electrician's Helper to her most recent work as a Secretary. She developed an amazing strength to support her daughters on her own and it was a strength she also passed onto her children. Angela and Jesse's friends loved their mom. They wanted to go to their home just to hang out with JoAnn because they could tell her anything and she wouldn't tell their parents. She'd also give them great advice and she was a terrific listener. When the girls were in their teenage years, there was nothing they couldn't tell her. Her energy and her presence were calming and she always advised, "Don't worry." She accepted you no matter what.

Holidays were loved in the family and JoAnn was the matriarch of bringing everyone together. She and her niece, Lisa, loved cooking for Thanksgiving. Christmas was also a wonderful holiday, as JoAnn loved decorating everything inside and outside. She loved putting up a real Christmas tree every year and decorating it in detail. In fact, she loved the tree so much she sometimes let the tree stay up from Christmas until the Easter holiday. For Easter, she enjoyed decorating eggs with the kids. Many family holiday celebrations were held at JoAnn's home over the years. She loved New Years Day, as she cooked a batch of black-eyed peas and cabbage for her entire family to have health and wealth all year long. While she was a great cook when she made her specialties such as pot roast, her favorite restaurant was The Fish Company. She especially liked their salt and pepper shakers and ashtrays.

Known as JoJo in her pool league, JoAnn was a pool shark, who played pool three times a week. She won an award for making the most 8 ball shots and she was a closer. In fact, playing pool was her favorite hobby and she was excellent at it. She won many trophies over the years playing against very talented players. She was also very good at poker, black jack and video poker. Twice a year, she'd go on trips to Laughlin and Las Vegas. She was a socializer, who liked being around people and spending time with her friends. Her favorite place was Breakers, where she went regularly. Even when she spent an evening playing pool, she always went to work the next day. JoAnn's favorite drink was 1800 Cuervo Tequila on the rocks, but when she quit drinking it for Lent ten years ago, she switched to Seagram's VO whiskey on the rocks. She loved to laugh and she loved music by Janis Joplin and Neil Diamond. She liked listening to soul and classic rock. She liked to dance in her chair and sing to the music. JoAnn was a voracious reader who loved reading everything from romance to mystery. She amassed a mini-library. One of her favorite writers was Patricia Cornwell and she read through each book quickly in a couple of weeks. After going to Breakers in the evening, she'd play Free Cell on the computer, which she was really good at and she'd read books at night before she went to sleep.

JoAnn had many favorites in life. Her favorite flower was the carnation and her favorite color was blue. She had a great love of gold jewelry, but never bought anything extravagant for herself. She was simple in her approach to life and she didn't judge others. Everyone was welcome in her world. In many ways, JoAnn was a caretaker in the family as she took care of everybody else. JoAnn was by Jesse's side going to doctor appointments when Jesse needed her. Jesse is a survivor today because JoAnn's support helped with her recovery.

JoAnn inspired the next generation leading with an example of independence and strength. She could be hard nosed at times, but you absolutely knew you were loved. She sometimes worked two jobs to support her kids and she was always there for them. While the girls grew up quickly, Angela always watched out for her younger sister, Jesse. With her family, JoAnn was demonstrative. She hugged her daughters and often said, "I love you."

Well known for her distinctive laugh, everyone knew when she was in the room. She had an infectious laugh that made everyone else laugh. In fact, when she sat in the audience for a taping of Married with Children, you can hear her laugh over the soundtrack, it was that unique. JoAnn loved to laugh and live life. She was not a homebody. She worked hard and liked enjoying herself. But, she also gave her children wings of independence. Both Angela and Jesse feel they owe everything to their mom. While she was in the hospital, she told Jesse, "I'm coming back stronger." She really wanted to go home again and she told Angela to break her out of the hospital. Her family is grateful she is no longer in pain.

JoAnn Rankin will be remembered as feisty, strong, and the most independent woman ever. She enjoyed life. The family will miss JoAnn's presence, her advice, and her laugh, because it was so comforting. Her laugh was her trademark because if you were having a bad day, she made you feel better. Just thinking of her laugh, makes everyone smile. Jesse asked her mom if she was afraid to die and she said, "No, honey, I'm not afraid." With beliefs in God and Heaven, her faith was strong and carried her through the toughest times. The family believes she is at peace and one day they will be reunited with her.

JoAnn is loved and remembered by her daughters Angela and Jesse; siblings Larry, Angelo, Vince, and Marilyn; extended relatives and many friends. Memorial donations are welcome in JoAnn's name to Susan G. Komen for the Cure of Breast Cancer ww5.komen.org.