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Johanne joined the love of her life, her husband of 46 years, Bruce Pantani, in heaven on Feb. 11. She passed away peacefully at home with her children by her side. Born June 13, 1942, to the late Joyce (Cudgma) and Arnold Nobile, Johanne was a life-long resident of Branford.

Johanne’s love of family knew no bounds. She “retired” from her job at Union Trust to help her children raise their children. She selflessly took care of her grandchildren day or night as their parents worked. With her devotion and involvement in her grandchildren’s lives, she became known as Mimi to many. She volunteered as a Special Friends Helper at Tisko; she was a costume and hair helper for Walsh and Branford High School plays; and she went on many youth mission trips with the CC, spreading her love and kindness across the country. She was also seen at countless sporting events, concerts, and plays, supporting everyone who called her Mimi.

Johanne’s generosity knew no bounds and nothing made her happier than giving of herself to others. As a young parent, she and Bruce started the Secret Santa program to provide gifts to town children in need at Christmas. This tradition of giving is continuing with Christmas Caddy, which was started by her grandchildren. She spent countless hours volunteering. Some of her favorite times were with Take a Vet Fishing, and as the president of The Angels Foundation. She also cherished her volunteer work at Hospice. As life moved on, she knew she wanted to make a bigger impact on peoples’ lives and became a CNA to be more involved in helping patients and their families when they needed it most.

Johanne “Mimi” was committed to all children. In 2012, working with the Branford Board of Education, she founded Feed Branford Kids (FBK). This program is self-funded and volunteer run, providing weekend meals to all needy Branford elementary school children. FBK is currently providing 1,200 meals per week to Branford students. For this work and much more she was awarded the inaugural 2013 Beacon Award for volunteer work. She was also an active member of the First Baptist Church in Branford.

She is survived by her brother George (Shirley) Nobile; children Bruce (Renee) Pantani, Janice (Tom) Fowler, Dennis (Laura) Pantani, Donna Angelo; as well as 10 grandchildren, Michael (Samantha) and Chandlar Fowler, Christopher, Jessica, Jacob, Gabby, and Noah Pantani, and Sophia, Maggie, and Emma Angelo. She was predeceased by her brother Arnold Nobile.

Friends may call Feb. 14 from 4 to 7 P.M. at the W.S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home, 244 N. Main St., Branford. Funeral services will be Feb. 15 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Branford. Burial will follow in Branford Center Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to FBK, P.O. Box 561, Branford CT 06405. Please see the online memorial at www.wsclancy.com.