Joanne Niebergall

It is with a heavy heart that we notify you that our beloved Joanne passed away on April 23, 2022 after a 15-year battle with Breast Cancer.  No one fought harder than Joanne, and she fought with such courage, strength, and a positive attitude.  Joanne was born on April 6, 1953 in Brooklyn, NY, a daughter of Angelo Beninati and the late Antoinette Beninati (nee Bivona). She was married to her late husband Billy Niebergall, the love of her life for over 47 years.  Joanne was blessed and leaves behind a loving family, and a large group of friends who cherished her.  One of Joanne’s many gifts was that she made you feel like you were the most important person in the world to her and that each one of us held a special place in her heart.

Joanne was a highly regarded educator for 39 years at Aquebogue Elementary school.   She spent her entire career in Aquebogue until her retirement 9 years ago.  She will be best remembered for her beautiful singing voice, her dedication as a second-grade teacher, her creative classroom lessons, ability to read her children a book with such enthusiasm, spontaneity, and inspiration.  Until the day she passed, her students remember her with high regard and would still reach out to her even though they were adults.  Recently, her past students and colleagues posted on Facebook all the fond memories they had of her, and we have been completely awestruck by those she affected and positively impacted over the years.   She loved teaching and made each and every day and lesson exciting, by singing, putting on plays, Mother’s Day teas, games shows, (Ed Sullivan) whatever it took to engage her “children”.  She was also a Union Rep for her building and the first vice president for the Union district wide.  No one fought harder for the rights of her colleagues; trust us, you were not getting off easy with Joanne at the helm.

As satisfying as Joanne’s professional achievements were in her career, she took most pleasure spending time with her family and friends.  When we think of Joanne’s legacy, we think of her deep love she had for her family, love for music, belting out or whistling a tune, a trait she shared with her brother.   She especially loved Broadway, participating in Community Theater, all Beatles songs, current pop music, the Yankees, QVC, and the shopping network.  She could never resist a nice pair of shoes or a good deal!  Joanne, loved to cook and it always gave her great pleasure preparing a meal, especially if her brother Joseph was coming to visit. Even if you weren’t hungry, “you have to eat,”, and “it tastes good”, she would say.  Her favorite vacation spot she and her Billy frequented, was Montauk.  She loved the beach, the sunset and just sitting on her hotel deck peering and listening to the ocean.  Of course, you always had to go to the Harvest Restaurant, TWO TIMES, when you were vacationing at Montauk!  Her family will fondly remember Joanne’s ability to plan the most special holidays. There was nothing like the memories of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, her most favorite time of year.   We will forever treasure all the memories each of us had with Joanne and appreciate all the efforts she made throughout our lives to keep our family emersed in tradition.

Joanne was larger than life, those around her were drawn to her infectious, ebullient personality and smile that could light up any room.   This was apparent, because the friends she had, were friends she had for life.  We will deeply miss Joanne as she touched so many people across multiple generations and will recount and cherish all the many memories, we have made with her.

Our family would like to give a special thanks to Dr. DaCosta and the staff New York Cancer and Blood Specialist for taking such good care of her for all these years and allowing us to have her in our lives as long as we did.  We also could not have cared for Joanne without the help of some very special people, Carol, Jenni, Cheryl, Joanne, Nazeema, Jaya, and Ria.  We are forever grateful for making Joanne so comfortable and safe the last weeks of her life.

The best way to honor Joanne’s memory is to sing your favorite song, take a trip to the ocean, make a sauce, and spend time with your family.  And finally, Joanne, we just want to say, “I love you a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck and a barrel and a heap, and I’m talkin’ in my sleep about you!

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Metavivor an organization Joanne strongly supported. https://www.metavivor.org/?_gclid=Cj0KCQjw6pOTBhCTARIsAHF23fJU0OHNatwSvDOyDDwyi8-lF7LXLsYIPttRvkTRha0gt3qUzN6iKuoaAv6jEALw_wcB