Josephine (Josie), 87, of New Bedford and Bristol, RI died Monday, July 16, at Heatherwood Nursing Center in Newport, RI, following an extended illness with her loving family by her side.
She showed great Sicilian strength of character in her endurance of her suffering and pain.
She was born and raised in Bristol, RI, retiring from the State of RI School Lunch Program, before moving to New Bedford, MA.
Although Josie spent many hours pursuing her interests, her first love was her family. She was an avid reader, bingo player, knitter, and Foxwoods enthusiast. And how she loved her scratch tickets! For many years she enjoyed extensive travels with her late husband Edward. During a dance contest during the depression era, she, an accomplished dancer, met her first husband Frank Balzano, himself a great and graceful dancer, each winning a coveted monetary prize for their skilled dancing. Her love for music and dancing endured bringing her pleasure throughout her life.
She is survived by her four children, Angela Ellis and her husband Douglas of Rochester, MA; Rebecca Thompson and her husband Enles and Pamela Malafronte and her husband Frank, of Bristol, RI; and son Frank D. Balzano and his wife Jacqueline of Sterling, CT; brothers Anthony Monafo of Warren,,RI and Ralph Monafo and his wife Elizabeth of Bristol; sister Rosemarie (Monafo) Doiron of West Warwick. She leaves six grand children: Keri Larson, David Archambault, Frank and Ashley Malafronte, and Jacob and Taylor Balzano. Four great-grand children:
Colby, Caleb, Cohen and Chloe Ferreira.
Josie was predeceased by her parents Vincent and Rose Monafo, former husbands
Frank D. Balzano of Bristol, and Edward Amaral of New Bedford, MA. and sadly her baby great granddaughter, Carly Elise Ferreira.
A devout Catholic, praying her daily rosary, Josie was a true blessing to the lives of her many friends and family, who will miss her dearly. The family wishes to extend their gratitude for the kind and compassionate care given to Josie by the exemplary staffs of Heatherwood Nursing Center in Newport, RI, East Bay Manor in East Providence, RI. and The Cedars, in Dartmouth, MA.
A Mass of Christian Burial and celebration of her life will be held on Saturday,
July 28, 2012 at 11 AM at Saint Elizabeth Church, 577 Wood Street, Bristol, RI.02809
Burial with immediately follow the mass. In accordance with her wishes, Josie’s remains will be buried at St. Mary’s Cemetery, in Bristol, RI. Visiting hours are respectfully omitted.
In lieu of flower, remembrances may be made to either of the following:
St. Jude Children’ s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105
St. Anthony Food Pantry, c/o Paula Briden, 1359 Acushnet Ave. New Bedford, MA 02746
Funeral arrangements entrusted to GEORGE C.LIMA FUNERAL HOME, Bristol, RI
For online guest book and condolences please visit www.limafh.com