Joann Mary Giuliani (Duke), beloved mother, sister, aunt and grandmother, passed away on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at the age of 77.
Joann was born on May 19, 1949 in South St. Louis, to Angeline and Frank Duke. She leaves behind a family and friends who loved her deeply.
Joann is survived by her children, Anthony Giuliani and Anna Wilson, her sister Mary Ann Albenesius, brother Stanley Duke, and her grandchildren Noah, Abby, Nathan, Franklin, Wren and Gibby.
Joann was a proud St Louisan. She enjoyed frequent trips to the Muny with her sister, visits to the Botanical Gardens, visiting local art galleries, shopping on the Hill and seeing concerts. She was an incredible baker, specializing in cakes and cookies, worked for many catering companies, and was a food stylist for TV commercials. Joann was a talented artist with a wide range of talents, from photography to jewelry making and painting – and had an eye for interior decor. She was an avid gardener with a gorgeous yard filled with herbs, flowers, butterflies and rabbits. Joann cared deeply about all of her pets – especially her St. Bernard Luther, sharpei Caleb and cats Gloria and Donovan. Joann had a mischievous sense of humor and loved to crack jokes and play pranks on friends.
She worked as an office manager and accountant for Giuliani Premiums and Kingsbury Animal Hospital, and as a cook and server for Something Elegant and several other local catering companies.
SERVICES: Family and friends are warmly invited to join us in celebrating Joann’s life on Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Kutis Funeral Home – Affton Chapel, 10151 Gravois Road, St. Louis, MO 63123. The memorial reception is open to everyone who knew and loved Joann, and we would be grateful to have you join us to remember her.
We shared wonderful memories of our super special grandson, Franklin, with you, JoAnn, and Frank and I will miss hearing of his visits with you in St Louis. Rest In Peace, Maw Maw Jo Jo. Condolences to your loved ones! 💜
Thank you Mama JuJu! JoJo will always be in our thoughts, especially when we’re in her favorite city.
Jo and I bonded over a discussion of our favorite movies while working an event together 13 years ago and have been close friends ever since. She was a unique and special person with an infectious giggle and an outragous since of humor! Her passions were many, but none so great as her family, especially her grandchildren. Each and everyone of them held a special place in her heart. You will be greatly missed Joann… and not just for your plum jelly my friend! 😉
My sincere condolences go out with hugs to her family!!
MY BELOVED FREIND, I WAS AN EMPLOYEE AT GIULIANI ON SOUTH JEFFERSON.. SHE TOUCH MY LIFE LIKE KNOW OTHER.
Joann is my cousin and we all did a lot together when we were kids. My Dad would take us sled riding, roller skating at St Anthony’s every Friday night and other places too. We got together in are older years too. Joann was very talented.
She could gourmet cook and bake like no other. Everything had to be perfect. Her shortbread cookies, lemon bars, pumpkin bread and chocolate cake & brownies were out of this world. I will truly miss her and her jokes and antics!!
I met Joann when I worked at Kingsbury Animal Hospital and we remained friends. I loved when she brought in leftovers from her catering jobs! Especially the lemon bars and brownie corners! She was a friend, but also a Mom figure. She has been supportive of all my music projects in STL… she still had memorabilia from my Sub Seven band that the KAH coworkers would come out to dance. She was there at my STL show with One More Round – Johnny Cash and June Carter tribute band. She was standing up front by the stage when my duo Pretty Weeds got to open at the Pageant twice last year. She had become a staple at our once a month gig at KTs in Oakville with her cousin Monica. I will miss her terribly and her missing presence will be a void on our Sunday Fundays. I’ll never have a pumpkin roll again… as no one could match her’s. I love you Jo.