August 16, 1932 - Dec. 31, 2013
Josephine passed away in her sleep, in the loving care of the staff at the Homestead, on December 31 to join her husband for a heavenly New Year’s Eve celebration together. She was the youngest of three children (Angelina, Luigi and Giaseppina), born in 1932 to Antonio and Amelia Marandola in Johnston RI. She married her one and only true love, James Gelsomino, in 1952 and later changed her first name to Josephine. In 2007 she fulfilled a lifelong wish to move out of Rhode Island, by relocating to Fallon to stay close to her only child, Jo Petteruti.Josie put her family first in everything she did, and was immensely proud and protective of them. She was truly the Italian “Mama” of the household, attending to all of the family’s needs. She had a zeal for life and loved to have fun - dining, dancing, golfing, traveling, swimming, cooking on the grill - whatever it was Josie ensured that she and everyone around her enjoyed every minute. She was also a masterful businesswoman, in an era when women were a rarity in business. She and James built a successful business together and sold it after 25 years to retire and enjoy their time together. Josephine was preceded in death by James who passed away on May 18, 2013. She leaves behind her daughter Jo Petteruti and her grandson Army Sgt. 1st Class Jacob Stroker.Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 7, 2014 at 1:00 PM at Smith Family Funeral Home….505 Rio Vista Drive in Fallon.A private interment will follow.
