Josephine Ann “Jo-Ann” Guarnotta was born in Buffalo, NY in 1934 to Croce Guarnotta and Carmella “Millie” (Colangelo) Guarnotta, the third of five children. She moved with her family to San Diego, CA in 1935. She graduated from San Diego High School in 1952. Jo-Ann lived at home with her parents and two younger siblings, where she helped to support her family, until she married.

While in high school, a counselor told Jo-Ann that she had an aptitude for numbers. Following her graduation, she took a job as a teller at Security Pacific National Bank. The bank President recognized her talent and hard work and eventually tapped her to be his executive secretary. While working at the bank, she was asked to organize the bank bowling league. She arranged to put herself on a team with a good-looking young man from Oklahoma who also worked for the bank, one Billy Dale Foster.

Jo-Ann and Bill married in 1965. In 1967 Jo-Ann and Bill moved to Escondido. They raised their children there and lived in Escondido for over 45 years. Jo-Ann left the bank when her daughter was born and devoted herself to the role of amazing mother and wife. She was a constant presence at her children’s schools and volunteered enthusiastically for every activity her children joined. When her kids were in high school, she transitioned from volunteer to school employee, finding a new vocation and making another group of devoted friends. She retired from her career as the Registrar at Orange Glen High School in 1996.

Jo-Ann was a talented seamstress. She made most of her own clothes and also made clothes for her younger sister. When her daughter was born, she made dresses for her as well. Suits, homecoming and prom dresses, school uniforms – there was nothing she couldn’t make. Jo-Ann also loved to travel. She and her girlfriends, cousins and younger sister drove up & down the coast and throughout the country on adventures. She loved her annual trips to Oklahoma with Bill and her kids. After her children were grown, she loved her girls’ trips with sisters, cousin and daughter, to San Francisco.

The Church was an important part of Jo-Ann’s life. She attended St. John the Evangelist Catholic church throughout elementary and middle school. She was active in the Marian Club after graduation, where she formed some of her closest friendships. After she and Bill married, they were among the founding parishioners of Resurrection Parish in Escondido, where she volunteered in the parish office for over 40 years.

Jo-Ann is preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Billy Dale Foster, her brother Joe Guarnotta (Rosemary) and her sister Carm Scudero (Bill). She is survived by her daughter Brenda Kraft (Rob) and grandchildren Sara and Henry, her son Brent (Stephanie) and grandchildren Ariel, Gage and Selene, her brother Bob Guarnotta, her sister Rita El Wardi (Driss), and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

A funeral mass for Jo-Ann will be held at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Poway May 21, 2026 at 10:00 am, followed by a reception. Jo-Ann will be interred at Miramar National Cemetery May 22, 2026 at 9:30 am.