Obituary of Josephine A. DeSimone

Josephine DeSimone, 77, of Urbandale Parkway, Rome, and Imperial Place, Sarasota, FL, passed away on Thursday, December 4, 2008 in Sarasota Memorial Hospital after a brief illness. She was born on October 14, 1931 in Canastota, NY a daughter of the late Tom (Gaetano) and Josephine Montalbano. She attended Canastota schools. On September 22, 1951, she married Joseph A. DeSimone, Sr. in St. Agatha's Church, Canastota, NY. They had a loving and blessed marriage for 41 years until Joe's passing on August 7, 1994. Mrs. DeSimone was employed by the Rome City School District as a cafeteria manager, retiring in June, 1990 after more than 30 years of service. She was a member of St. John the Baptist Church in Rome and St. Thomas More Church in Sarasota, FL. Josephine was a member of the Marion Guild Society at St. John's Church and a member of the South Rome Senior Citizens. Josephine was a devoted wife, loving and caring mother and a very special grandmother. She always looked forward to spending time with her grandchildren and she especially enjoyed attending her grandchildren's numerous sporting events and other activities over the years. She was a very proud grandmother. Josephine truly enjoyed her retirement years, especially winter months in Florida. Both in Rome and in Florida, she always enjoyed the friendship and companionship of her numerous friends. Whether going to the casino, movies, out to dinner, playing cards or just chatting, she enjoyed everyone's company. Each of you know who you are and how much she looked forward to seeing you. She is survived by her beloved son and daughter-law, Joseph A. and Lee Ann DeSimone, Jr., Auburn; a beloved and devoted daughter and son-in-law, Jody and Daniel O'Connell, Rome; her cherished and adoring grandchildren, Christopher and Aimee O'Connell and Mathew, Michael and Stephen DeSimone. She is also survived by a brother and sister-in-law, Ned and Teddy Montalbano, Canastota; sisters-in-law, Molly Montalbano, Ohio, Mary Montalbano, Canastota, Camella DeSimone, Rome, and Mary Domenico, Sarasota, Fl; a brother and sister-in-law, Sam and Stella DeSimone, Rome; and a brother-in-law, Frank DeSimone, Clinton; several nieces and nephews, all of whom Josephine truly enjoyed seeing. She was predeceased by five brothers, Joseph Montalbano, Casper Montalbano, Fred Montalbano, Anthony Montalbano and Felix Montalbano. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 9:45 a.m. from the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home, Inc., 218 W. Court St., and St. John the Baptist Church at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday from 4-8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one's choice.