We knew her as Miss Cutrone, a beloved Spanish teacher in the early years of RHHS. She died on January 21, 2026 and the Daily Breeze published this obituary on February 1, 2026.

Joanne was born on March 10, 1936, in Akron, Ohio, to Italian immigrants Guy and Vera Cutrone. From an early age, Joanne showed signs of the remarkable woman she would become—bright, curious, and ahead of her time. As a young girl, she excelled in school, loved playing piano, enjoyed paper dolls, formed lifelong friendships, and idolized her only brother, Bob. She carried a deep pride in her Italian heritage and in the city of Akron, which she always considered home, even after building her life in Southern California. Post World War II, at a time when few women pursued higher education, Joanne chose to attend college—an uncommon and courageous path that reflected her independence and intellect. After graduating from high school in 1954, she attended the University of Akron, where she majored in Spanish and revealed a lifelong gift for language. She became a foreign language teacher, teaching Spanish, French, and English, and she also- spoke Italian. Her intelligence, discipline, and love of learning left a lasting impression on her students and colleagues. After leaving Akron, Joanne moved to California, where she proudly taught foreign languages at Palos Verdes High and Rolling Hills High. As a single woman in the 1960s, she purchased her first home on her own, creating a place not only for herself, but for her parents as well. This act reflected her quiet strength, independence, and forward-thinking nature. In 1970, Joanne married the love of her life, Vincent Carlini. Together they built a devoted and loving family, raising eight children. She stepped away from the classroom to devote herself fully to motherhood, a role she embraced with great pride. The Carlini home was known for its warmth, generosity, and abundance. While she never claimed to love cooking, she learned to do it well, and the world is undeniably a better place because of her legendary “killer” meatballs. After their children were grown, Joanne and Vincent spent many years traveling together. There was no greater love in her life than her husband; wherever he was, that was where she wanted to be. His passing in 2004 was a tremendous loss, but as a devout Catholic, Joanne held steadfast in her faith and her belief that she would one day be reunited with him—a promise now fulfilled.   Alzheimer’s disease took much from Joanne in her later years, but it could never take her intelligence, her deep love for her family, or her strength of spirit. She remained resilient, feisty, and a fighter to her final moments. In her transition to heaven, she was surrounded by love. Joanne is preceded in death by her beloved husband Vincent, her parents Guy and Vera Cutrone, and her brother Bob Cutrone. She is survived by her eight children: Walter (Susan) Carlini, Piero (Gilda) Carlini, Adriana (Nick) Zebeljan, Michelle (Raffaele) D’Eusebio, Patricia Carlini, Mauro (Deana) Carlini, David (Amy) Carlini, and Carla Carlini; fifteen grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws whom she loved dearly. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Holy Cross Cemetery, with services to be held on February 7 in Culver City, California.