Joanne Lisa Fattaleh passed away peacefully into the hands of God on February 14, 2025, Valentine’s Day. She was 56 years old. Joanne was born on August 14, 1968 in Washington, DC at Providence Hospital.

Joanne inhaled life and every opportunity it offered. She was a star athlete. She excelled especially at soccer, playing defensive back for Regina High School in Hyattsville, Maryland. She also played basketball, softball, and flag football, ran track, and was an avid bowler in grade school. As proof of her athletic prowess, Joanne accumulated an enviable collection of trophies, plaques, medals, and ribbons. When she wasn’t competing in sports, Joanne did ballet, tap, and jazz. She always had a flair for the dramatic. She was a Miss Teen contestant representing Silver Spring. As a member of the drama club, she was in her school’s production of “Bye Bye Birdie.” Joanne was friends with everyone. No one was a stranger to her.

After her high school graduation in 1986, Joanne began her career working for Holiday Spa, the region’s premier sports club. To no one’s surprise, Joanne excelled at sales and personal training. She was quickly rising through the company’s ranks; the sky was her limit.

On March 22, 1989, at 20 years old, Joanne was in a life-altering motor vehicle accident on her way home from a work meeting. The vibrant, exuberant athlete who enchanted us with her charisma and contagious laugh became physically disabled. Life as she knew it came to end.

But Joanne’s spirit remained indomitable. For the next 36 years, Joanne fought through adversity and physical limitations that very few people have ever experienced. She advocated for herself with her medical and home healthcare providers, determined to live independently again one day. Joanne never gave up, and she never complained. Never. She never felt sorry for herself. She knew God would not give her more than she could handle. She was a determined fighter—no matter the odds against her. Even though her physical mobility was extremely limited, her mental acuity remained sharp. Joanne was witty and funny—often laughing at the expense of herself, never at the expense of others. What’s more, Joanne’s heart was huge. She loved to help people who were less fortunate than she was, and despite her physical disability, she viewed herself as fortunate in many ways. Most importantly, Joanne deeply loved her family. She had a special place in her heart for her godson Jad and her goddaughter Paisley. Joanne wanted only the best for her family. She always put her needs second to theirs. As her family cared for her, Joanne tried to find ways to care for them. No one had a bigger, more generous heart than Joanne.

Joanne leaves behind her dear mother, Mary Hadeed Fattaleh. She also leaves behind her sisters Katherine Ingraham and Nadia Silva (David), her nieces Samantha (Michael) and Lina, her nephews Albert IV, Jad II, Nikolas, her great nephew Calvert, and her great nieces Paisley and Charlotte. Joanne was predeceased by her beloved father Shafic Isa Fattaleh and her beloved brother Jad Isa Fattaleh.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am on February 25, 2025 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 2900 Olney-Sandy Spring Road, Olney, MD 20832. Burial will follow the mass at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 13801 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20906. Immediately after the burial, all are invited to a Meal of Mercy at Silo Falls, 19501 Georgia Ave, Brookeville, MD 20833.