Josephine Messina, 87, of Tamarac, Florida, died on Saturday, September 1, 2018.  Her rich life is honored and celebrated by daughters Grace (Peter) Sparaco and Libby Messina; son Frank (Robin) Messina; grandchildren Lisa Sparaco, Jennifer (Jeff) Burch, Nicholas and Juliana Messina, and great-granddaughter Estelle Burch.  She is joyously reunited in eternal life with husband Frank, and her parents Arcangelo and Liboria Catanzaro.

Josephine was born September 8, 1930 and was raised a  traditional Italian- American in Brooklyn, NY.  She attended Our Lady of Guadalupe grammar school and Bay Ridge High School and married young.  Josie and Frank celebrated 55 years together after marrying on April 19, 1953.  She began married life and successfully managed a family of five on Frank's watchmaker income living above her parents in their Bensonhurst rowhouse.  She was proud when Grace was the first in the family to graduate from college, of Libby's life success, and of "my son, the doctor."  She worked outside the home for the city once the kids were in school, but considered motherhood and homemaking her most important life roles.

Part of a large and loving circle of family and friends in New York, Josie enjoyed family gatherings, NYC's cultural offerings, excursions to the Coney Island beach, and most importantly, ensuring that nobody ever left her home hungry.  For someone with such a conventional upbringing, Josie opened her heart to the wildly diverse and varied friends her children brought home.  She was always willing to try new experiences and particularly enjoyed her travels to Hawaii, Alaska, Spain, Italy, China and multiple Caribbean cruises.  Josie would break into song at a moment's notice and sang in the chorus at her New Jersey retirement community where she was also the president of the Italian-American club.  She tried her hand at oil painting late in life and never opted out of a family game, whether it was cards ("Briscola") or charades.  Sometimes with hilarious results!

At the end of her life, Josie relocated to Florida where she enjoyed the devoted care and generous companionship of Libby and her "chosen family":  Linda, Regina, Barbara and Diane.  Josie had a blessedly short illness and died of complications from Alzheimer's Disease.  All of her kids were with her at the end and able to bid her "God speed."  Her last words were, "I love you."

Josie lived large, laughed loudly, and never met a person she couldn't empathize with.  A dedicated wife, proud mother and grandmother, enthusiastic great-grandmother, and loyal friend, wherever she went she lit up the room and provided love to all.

Josie would have hated money being wasted on flowers she wouldn't enjoy!  So please make memorial donations to The Alzheimer Association at this Link.

Josephine's service will be available live through the Facebook page of Grace Messina Sparaco.  Please send a friend request to that name if you are not already friended and wish to view the service.