Woman begins mother’s obit with ‘ding dong the witch is dead’ — for a good reason

“Ding dong the witch is dead…”

So began an obituary for 70-year-old Johanna Scarpitti, surely raising the eyebrows of many News Journal readers in Delaware. However, upon further examination, it became apparent that this wasn’t another case of children exacting revenge on a cruel parent.

The tribute continued…

Johanna was a kind-hearted woman; a loving mother and wife who spoiled her grandchildren without complaint. She was sweet with a side of zest. Johanna loved the beach, boating, kayaking and that incredible drink from The Lazy Lizard. She will be incredibly missed by all who knew her… [a] whole bunch.

So, what was the point of the first line? Johanna’s daughter, Assunta “Sue” Lucy explained to News Journal that her mother made her promise to include the line for their favorite movie.

“That was something between us and there was nothing that was going to stop me,” Sue said. “Even if I ended up getting bad reports and people going against me, it had nothing to do with them. This is something she wanted me to do so I did it.”

Johanna with her two loving daughters and husband.

Sue said her mother was so serious about her love for The Wizard of Oz that she even asked to be buried in a black outfit with white stockings and red slippers. The family also honored that request.

According to the National Funeral Directors Association, it’s become increasingly common for people to commemorate passed loved ones with creative tributes.