Josephine M. De Leonardis

 
Josephine Maria DeLeonardis
March 24, 1923 –May 11, 2012
 
Josephine Maria DeLeonardis went home to be with our Lord on Friday, May 11, 2012 at the age of 89. 
 
Josephine was born in Philadelphia PA on March 24th, 1925 to her parents Marco and Concetta DeLeonardis where she was raised and lived with her siblings, Mary, Frances, Nick, Alphonso and Michael. Josephine lived in various parts of Philadelphia her entire life: Indiana Avenue in North Philadelphia for several decades; later at Valley Ave and Summit Gardens in the Roxborough/Manyunk area.
 
At the age of 13 until she was 61, Josephine began working at DeLong, both as a factory worker and shop steward; Thereafter she worked at Sperry Rand, which is now UNISYS as a keypunch operator and international freight expediter. Although always an extremely hard worker at all of her jobs, she was especially fond of her job as an International Freight Expediter.
 
After "retiring", Josephine was trained as a Physical Therapist's Aide and used her healing hands in that capacity for 10 years. Never tiring after "retiring”, she also volunteered to those in great need at St. Josephs Villa, for the next 20 years.  
 
Josephine was also a Certified Religious Education Teacher and throughout her life. She taught Sunday School as well as CCD classes. CCD stands for Confraternity of Catholic Doctrine. The mission of CCD teachers is to teach Catholicism to students in the public school system. As Josephine was a devout Catholic, being given the opportunity to volunteer and help spread and teach to those the Word of our Lord, brought her much joy and a sense of fulfillment. 
 
Amazingly, for over 60 years, Josephine was also a volunteer Retreat Coordinator, as well as attendee at what was the beautiful Dominican Retreat House in Elkins Park.  The Retreat House was run by the Dominican Sisters, to whom she was very close, until it’s sale in 2009. 
 
In her later years, Josephine was a daily participant at Journey’s Way, the Interact Senior Center. Journey’s Way provides the aging a place where they can find a multitude of activities to join; everything from travel to studies; as well as offering a wide range of resources for those in need.   Whatever she did she, she did with all her heart and always excelled. 
 
Josephine exemplififed the meaning of a “devout” Catholic. In addition to all of her volunteering, she was also a Daily Communicant for most of her life.  Because of her unwavering loyalty and devotion to our Lord, she was always there to help others in need both physically and spiritually. Her inspiration to help others was never limited to the places at which she volunteered. With praise and graciousness in her heart for our Savior, Josephine lent her helping hands, and spiritual guidance to all who knew her.
 
And those who knew her were many. Josephine also found time to enjoy God’s gift to her of a very intellectual mind as well as an extremely healthy body, allowing her to engage in new studies, enjoy Ballroom dancing on the weekends, swim at the YMCA 3 days a week, and attend stage performances once a month.
 
Never marrying, Josephine liked to call herself a “Maiden Lady."  But never did she feel alone in her journey throughout life as she knew Jesus was always with her and guiding her.
 
The Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church was her church home for several decades, and she was very involved in the activities there as well.  For over 35 years she attended the weekly Charismatic Prayer Meeting at IHM. 
 
Josephine was undeniably one of God’s most gracious, compassionate and generous souls.  Because of her dedication to Jesus, she touched an innumerable amount of lives. 
 
She was Josephine DeLeonardis, Josie, Jo, and to so many of us, Aunt Jo. Although sje never had children of her own, she had hundreds of “spiritual children.” 
 
Josephine Maria DeLeonardis, has now joined her deceased parents Concetta and Marco DeLeonardis and her deceased sisters and brothers, Mary & Guy Sardella, Frances and Lou Lattanzio, Nick, Alphonso and Micheal DeLeonardis at the family table in Heaven. She is survived by sisters-in-law: Norma, (wife of Nick), Elsie, (wife of Al), Rose Marie, (wife of Mike); cousins: Ferna and Guido Ulissi, Eleanor and Nick Romano; nephews and nieces: Adriana (Lattanzio) & Tom Byron, Roberta (Lattanzio) Marzano, Tina (Lattanzio) & Mike Sommers, Lou Sardella, Carol (DeLeonardis) & Jack Butler, Susan (DeLeonardis) Neil, Hank Lloyd (husband of the late Veronica Lattanzio), Gina (DeLeonardis) & Frank Satterfield, Mark DeLeonardis, Lisa DeLeonardis; 11 great nieces & nephews and 21 great-great nieces and nephews.
 
Josephine was a woman of great love, compassion and wit who was filled with an abundant and profound faith in our Lord. Josephine will be immensely missed by all of her surviving relatives and friends. 
 
Relatives and friends are invited to attend her Memorial Mass, 11 am, Wednesday, May 30, 2012, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 819 E. Cathedral Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19128 where friends may call from 10-11 am.  Inurnment will follow in Holy Sepulchere Cemetery, Philadelphia. 
In lieu of flowers, contributions to the St. Jude Foundation, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105 or to the charity of the donor's choice would be appreciated by the family.
 Arrangements by the John P. Donohue Funeral Home, Upper Darby.  (Dave Cericola Jr, funeral director).