Obituary of Josephine Mancinelli

Josephine Mancinelli, nee Lobosco, devoted mother of Joseph, Marlene, Celeste and John, devoted grandmother of Dara, Greg, Melissa, Laura, Thomas, Jonathan, Samantha and Rachel, and great-grandmother of Henry, Leo, George and Gianna, died in her sleep on Saturday, October 30th. Her husband, Joe, to whom she was married for 63years, died seven months ago. Josephine, who preferred to be called Josie because she did not like her first name, was born in Paterson in August of 1922, to Angelo and Mary Lobosco. Her parents had emigrated from Italy. Neither ever learned to speak English well. Angelo was a pick-and-shovel man. He said he broke rocks for a penny-a-day. Josie worked as a file clerk at Curtis Wright and then became a seamstress at the Barbizon factory in Paterson. She and her sister Lucy eventually opened a successful bridal shop in Paterson called Lu-Jo's. Unfortunately the shop closed when her daughter was born. It was a different time. Josie continued her sewing skills well into her elderly years, designing and creating beautiful outfits for her two daughters and mending, altering, hemming and patching anything from clothes to drapes. All of Josie's six siblings stayed close to Paterson. They merged into a lively extended family of aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews who were in and out of each other's houses regularly. Josie was a wonderful cook and she coordinated the yearly Pizza Chiena cooking fest, an assembly line production involving relatives, neighbors and friends. Her meatballs were renowned and to date have never been replicated by any other family member. Josie had a quick, mischievous wit; and she was a good listener, who could be trusted by those who confided in her. All of these characteristics, but particularly the last one, made her especially important to her entire extended family. Her nieces and nephews spoke of her with deep affection and respect, even as they themselves became adults. She was considered the hub of the family, the source of all information. She was the "network" well before the internet. Josie had some health problems in her life - bypass surgery in the early 80's, a minor stroke in her 30's that reduced her peripheral vision and made it unsafe for her to drive - but for the most part, until her final three years, her health was good. Late in life her memory failed, her strength ebbed and in her last year she needed fulltime nursing care. She was lovingly attended by Carmela and Doreen. These remarkable women tended to Josie as was deserved since in her life she truly became "the mother of us all". She was a proud member of the Neighborhood Girls, Paterson and the Past President of Our Lady of Pompeii Rosary Society, Paterson. She was a devoted member of the Lobosco Association, Paterson and her family meant everything to her. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral from the Festa Memorial Funeral Home, 111 Union Blvd, Totowa, on Wednesday at 9:30 AM. Funeral Mass to follow at Our Lady of Pompeii RC Church, Paterson at 10:00 AM. Interment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Totowa. Friends may call Tuesday 2-4 and 7-9 PM. In lieu of flowers donations to Bethlehem Hermitage, 82 Pleasant Hill Road, Chester, NJ 07930-2135 would be appreciated. For more information, go to www.festamemorial.com.