Joan D. Vitale

April 2, 1924 - July 4, 2020

Joan was born in New York on April 2,1924 and grew up in San Francisco. She served in the Women's Marine Corps at the age of 20 and achieved the rank of Corporal. She later attended the University of Colorado on the GI Bill and earned a Bachelor Degree in English. On a visit to Los Angeles in 1952, she met Joseph Vitale, a motion picture character actor and were soon married. Their special needs son Paul Victor was born in 1953. Joan and Joseph became active with New Horizons, where their son began his schooling. They were instrumental in establishing Leichman Middle School, the first school in the San Fernando Valley for special needs children. Through her efforts at CSUN, her son's paintings are now on permanent display at CSUN in the College of Education: The Paul Vitale Gallery-"Art Outside The Lines". Joan has been active with the Granada Hills Women's Club, Friends of the Granada Hills Branch Public Library and the San Fernando Valley Women Marines Association. She was a member of St. John Baptist de la Salle Catholic Church, and was a philanthropist having supported many charities. We called her "Auntie Mame" as she was an avid traveler and visited many diverse locales as Africa, New Zealand and Antarctica. Joan passed away on July 4, 2020 at 7:00 PM amidst the many fireworks celebrations. A fitting send off for a one who served her country. She is survived by her cousin Richard Erkus, his wife Sandra, their children Janet and William, her cousin Laura Rosen and her family and Carol Heiderman as well as her many friends who loved and respected her. In lieu of flowers family requests that donations be made to San Fernando Association of the retarded - New Horizons, 15725 Parthenia Street, North Hills, CA 91343