Carlene Joyce Staffaroni

Carlene Joyce (nee Heath) Staffaroni passed away peacefully on December 29, 2023, at the age of 101.

Carlene lived her entire life in Milwaukee. Born May 17, 1922. She graduated from West Division High School in 1939.

She went on to graduate from the Vocational School of Milwaukee (now MATC), where she completed her studies in secretarial and administrative skills, and was quickly placed at AT&T (Ma Bell) as an Executive Assistant.

Carlene served her country during World War II as a candy striper and USO hostess. She was a long-standing member of St. Catherine’s parish where she was a Christian mother, a perennial fund raiser, and a Cub Scout den mother.

She met her husband, Robert (Bob), in 1946. In an apparent case of love at first sight, they married 13 days later in January 1947. They were married for 60 years until Bob passed away in 2007.

She is survived by her four sons: Richard, Michael, Jeffrey, and William; her daughter-in-law, Annie and three grandchildren—Nick, Daniella, and Alex; and dogs: Lola, Elsa, Izzy, and Missy along with many, many friends and extended family.

Special thanks to the staff at Heritage Elm Grove—and especially Nyanna Allen for caring for “Granny” over the past two years. Thanks also to Hillary and all the caregivers at Lily Hospice.

Monday, February, 5th, 1:30PM – 3:00PM Visitation and brief service: Holy Cross Cemetery (West Chapel) 7301 W Nash St, Milwaukee, WI. 3:30PM- 8:00PM Reception to follow: Tanino’s Restaurant 3525 S 76th St, Milwaukee, WI.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Staffaroni Family Scholarship Fund and endowment set up to honor Carlene at her alma mater. The scholarships will be awarded to students in MATC’s nursing program. MATC Foundation – a 501 (c) (3) 700 W. State Street, Room M66 Milwaukee, WI 53233, indicate Staffaroni Family Scholarship on the memo line of the check. Online at hhps://www.matc.edu/founda@on/giving-form.html , select "other" from the fund dropdown list and enter Staffaroni Family Scholarship.