Obituary of Joan K. Iannotta

Joan Kathryn Lares Wetzel Iannotta, 83, went to be with her Lord on January 13, 2022.  She died at Island Nursing Home in Holtsville of natural causes. She was the only child of Alonso and Mabel (Truelson) Lares. Born in Maracaibo, Venezuela, Joan had cerebral palsy since birth yet lived life to its fullest. She loved to dance, swim, and listen to Neil Diamond. Joan loved her family dearly. She had five children with her first husband, Jerry Wetzel. She is survived by her daughter Lisa (Bill) Brougham of St. Louis and sons Mark, John (Jan), Greg (Patty), and Tom (Rita) who all live in Nassau County, and six grandsons and five granddaughters. Her second (and third) husband and traveling companion Frank was devoted to Joan and cared for her until he died from a stroke November 2020.

Joan was fascinated by the medical field and loved her job as a patient rep in the billing department of Nassau/Winthrop Hospital. After they retired, she and Frank moved to Florida where they were active in their church and enjoyed their pool daily. Joan moved back to NY in 2006 to be close to her children and grandchildren. She returned to FL in January 2018 and back to NY in January 2021. Joan was an avid knitter and watcher of soaps.

Visitation is at Weigand Brothers Funeral Home in Williston Park on Monday, January 17, 2022 from 4-8pm. Funeral Mass is at St. Aidan’s Church on Tuesday, January 18th at 10am, and burial follows at Holy Rood Cemetery, Westbury.