Janette Doris Citarella Laghezza, better known as Jean, passed away July 15, 2019 in Blythe, CA. She was 87 years old.

Born January 4, 1932 in Riverside, CA to Alfonso Citarella and Mary Fogliasso Citarella. Jean was the youngest of five girls: Phyllis (Phil) Citarella Aspittle, Margaret (Marg) Citarella Charleboise, Lucille (Lou) Citarella Aspittle, LaVern (Vern) Citarella Hennessey.

As a young girl Jean loved to help her dad around their Riverside farm. She often spoke of outings picking wild mushrooms and hunting rabbits. Jean also learned to be a fabulous cook helping her mother in the kitchen. Jean had a smile that would light up any room and loved to sing and play the piano for all around. Jean met the love of her life Louis Gigi Laghezza while he was a prisoner of war at Camp Anza. After the war ended Gigi and Jean were married in Italy on February 2nd, 1947. The couple returned to the USA to make their home in Riverside, CA and start their family. Jean and Gigi had two sons Phillip Lee and Michael Allen whom she loved dearly. Jean's family was her whole life.

Gigi and Jean eventually moved to Blythe in 1954 where they enjoyed all that the outdoors had to offer. Hunting and Fishing were a huge part of their lives. while working for her sister Marg and her husband at the L&M Sheep company Jean cooked many a meal at the sheep camps on their trek from Blythe to Flagstaff before she and Gigi started their own business Laghezza Construction which operated until Gigi's passing in 2007. During Jean's years in Blythe she and Gigi loved to Square dance and polka at the old dance hall in Ripley where her brother-in-law Louis made the dance calls. Jean and Gigi loved to entertain and she never met a stranger she didn't try to feed. Many a gathering was had at their homes who welcomed so many over the years. Jean had a huge heart and gave of herself so unselfishly over the years whether it was fundraising for school functions, boy scouts, or cooking large dinners to raise money to help someone out in hard times. Jean was always willing to do what she could to help.

Jean and Gigi were responsible for starting the Blythe Gun Club where many tournaments were held. Jean and all her boys were very active in the Trap and Skeet circuit in not only California, but Arizona and Nevada as well where Gigi, Phillip, and Mike were State champions many times only taking the titles away from each other. Always by their side and sometimes participating herself, Jean was their biggest fan as is evident by all the photos and newspaper clippings she was so proud to display for all to see.

Jean and Gigi made a great team when it came to decorating. They loved to decorate for Christmas and every year they would get busy in their shop making moving yard decorations trying to outdo what they had done the year before. Jean with her artistic talent did a tremendous job painting and bringing them all to life. For many years they won the annual Community Christmas Decorating Contest until they were not allowed to compete any longer.

In later years as health issues took hold Jean could be seen any day outside tending to her flowers and garden. She loved working in the soil and getting her hands dirty. Always with a smile, even til the end, Jean welcomed all who came to see her with open arms. I have no doubt she entered heaven the same way.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents Alfonso and Mary Citarella, Husband Louis (Gigi) Laghezza, sisters Phyllis (Sydney), Margaret (Louis), Lucille (Allen), and LaVern (Jack), and Granddaughter Ashley Brook Laghezza.

Jean is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Phillip and Terri Laghezza of Blythe, son Michael and daughter-in-law Ruthann Laghezza of Knoxville, TN, Grandkids Christopher Laghezza, Nicole Callaghan, Lindsey Welch, Cory Laghezza, and Tanner Laghezza. Step grandkids Justin and Kim Crowther. Eleven great grandkids, and four GG Grandkids. Along with numerous nieces and nephews. She loved each and every one of them whether she knew them or not.

As per Jean's wishes, there will not be any services.