JoAnn Patricia Chirico (Virga), a native of Pittsburgh, PA and a resident of Fairhope, AL, passed away at her home on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at the age of 81.
JoAnn was a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She enjoyed walking through the neighborhood, cooking and talking! She enjoyed sharing stories of her childhood and could make the worst day better. She was a devout Christian and a woman of constant prayer. JoAnn also enjoyed car rides with Bobby, feeding the ducks at the pond and horses. She also enjoyed face timing Harper and Miles and dancing in the kitchen with Tia.
JoAnn is preceded in death by her husband, Robert “Bobby” Chirico; her parents, Josephine (Merola) and Joseph Virga; and sisters, Mary, Tony and Lena.
She is survived by her daughters, Tia (Bobby) Janicki of Fairhope, AL and Tami (Philip) Lima of Washington, PA; her grandchildren, Danielle (Lee) Herman of Pittsburgh, PA, Rylee Hall of Pittsburgh, PA, Danny Hall of Washington, PA, Zachary Janicki of Silverhill, AL, and Sebastian Janicki of Pittsburgh, PA; her great-grandchildren, Harper Lee Herman and Miles Daniel Herman both of Pittsburgh, PA; her sister, Rosie Shaw of Pittsburgh, PA; as well as numerous nieces and nephews and her beloved grand-dogs, Pickles, Wilson, Ruby, Finley and Petunia.
A celebration of her life will be held in both Alabama and Pennsylvania, dates and times to be determined.
She will be interred at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Canonsburg, PA at a later date.
Hughes Funeral Home, 26209 Pollard Road, Daphne, AL, is assisting the family.
Mom I love you so much! My world will never be the same without you! I will try to carry on your legacy here on earth until we meet again. I miss your hugs and your smile already! I love you forever to the moon and back…
What a beautiful person she was! She had such a kind spirit and loving heart. She o ly saw the best in every e and everything. Heaven is even sweeter because she is there. I look forward to seeing her again some day. Until then, she will be missed.
Ms. Joann was a precious soul, and I’m so thankful for the chance to get to become friends with her. Not only a friend, but a family-like neighbor, Ms. JoAnn would frequently stop by to visit and dote on my children. She was always loving and gentle and kind. She will certainly be missed, but I am happy knowing that she is in the most beautiful place imaginable with our Lord and Savior. We love you, Ms. JoAnn.
I will miss you forever grandma you were one tough cookie
We feel blessed to call Joann a great friend. She was like family to me and my husband. I used to love to talk with her, and she was the best listener. We miss seeing her walking around outside in the neighborhood. She was always smiling and happy. We love you and we miss you so much!
Joann was so loved! And she was so devoted to her family! I thank God I had the honor of working with her for years at Carlow University. She gave her work her “all”, and treated everyone with respect. I also had the privilege of teaching dear Tia, who is like a daughter to me.
Love you always, Joann. God bless you. Enjoy heaven – it’s well-deserved.