Obituary
Josephine lived a long and happy life. She was married to her husband Jim for 40 years and they raised three amazing daughters: Jayne, Elizabeth (Khoury) and Laura (Espinosa). She was the youngest of many siblings: Ann, Nikki, Mary, Tom, Carlo, Vincent and Pat. She was beloved as “AJ” (Aunt Jo) to her nephews 7 nieces John (Irene) and Michael (Jenny) Gioia, Drew (Vivian), Diane (Steve) and Jim (Sally) Ricchiuti, and a host of other Gioias, Nunziatos, McArdles and Ricchiutis . So many thought of her as their second or adopted Italian mom: Mary Anne, Patti, Karen and Kathleen. She always had a pot of coffee ready to go, (maybe not the best coffee, but it was coffee!)
She loved her six grandchildren beyond all measure: Danielle, Nadina, James, Melissa, Olivia, and Vanessa; and enjoyed her days babysitting them, teaching them to count (with cinnamon toast!) and singing with them. She was their ‘Grandma Olive”.
She will always be remembered for Pizza Fridays, her love of music, banjo concerts on Friday nights, flower shop stories, being a great friend and sister, and always making everyone feel welcome in her home.
We will surely miss her, but we know she is teaching everyone in heaven the lindy today and enjoying all the linzer tarts her heart desires.
