Josephine M. Rosselli

Rosselli, Josephine M. ALBANY In her 86th year, Josephine M. (DeNigris) Rosselli, also affectionately known as Guiesppina, Aunt Joe, Josie, Nanny or Mama Joe as she was known by in her later days at the Teresian House, passed away peacefully, Sunday morning, August 31, 2008. She went home to Our Lord and Savior and her patron saints, St. Jude and St. Anthony. Faced with declining health, her tremendous faith kept her strong and courageous. Josie could trace her heritage back to Benvito, Italy the home of her parents, the late Michael F. and Josephine (Lupo) DeNigris. Josie was born in Albany on April 8, 1923 and was a graduate of St. Joseph's Academy. After high school, she met and married the love of her life, Joseph D. Rosselli and together they raised four wonderful children, Salvatore J. Rosselli of San Francisco, Calif., who is president of the Hospital Union of San Francisco, Barbara A. Rosselli of Albany who teaches in the Albany School District passing on the knowledge she learned from Josie to youngsters. (Barbara was married to John Brannock III and raised Nanny's first three granddaughters, Kathleen, Cheryl and Pamela Brannock); Thomas J. Rosselli of Loudonville took on hairdressing as a trade, a gift passed on to him from his grandfather Michael, a barber and uncle Anthony, a hairdresser. (Thomas and his life companion, Georgie J. Conboy, have spent 30 years together operating Georgio's The Salon of Latham where they have shared many of Josie's philosophies and stories with their clients every day) and the late Mary Jo Pastore-Farnum, formerly of Saratoga, who lost her battle with cancer at a very early age. (She leaves as her legacy, her children, Josie's first grandson, Michael Pastore and two granddaughters, Allison and Britanie Farnum). Josie loved life, people and especially her family. She loved to bake, cook and entertain. Josie enjoyed knitting, crocheting and gardening, always sharing the fruits of her labors. She loved playing cards and playing the daily numbers everyday, and was known to occasionally share a winning number or two. She was a true giver, taking time out of her busy home life to volunteer at church bazaars and dinners, school bake sales, Girl Scout meetings and neighborhood garage sales. If she wasn't baking a homemade Italian sponge cake for someone in the community who lost a loved one, she was rolling 200 Italian cookies for a friend's wedding. Josie worked at Whitney's and Mulfelder's Department Stores for a short time. In her later years, she worked as a bakery clerk at Zucmans, Leo's and Mount Pleasant Bakeries. In addition to her children and grandchildren, Josie is survived by her brother, Edward (Airis) DeNigris of Albany; her sister-in-law, Rose (Bill) Severino of Rotterdam; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Joseph D. Rosselli; her brothers, Anthony DeNigris (formerly of Albany) and Rocco DeNigris (formerly of Boston); her sisters, Bernadette Cozzolino and Anne McCredie (both formerly of Albany) and sisters-in-law, Catherine Rosselli and Phyllis Casella (both formerly of Albany). She was the daughter-in-law and best friend to the late Mary Trappasso and her father-in-law, Salvatore Rosselli, a stone cutter who died young, and her best friend, the late Mary Condon. Josie has given us more than love. She has taught us to respect, be balanced, to trust and, most of all, she gave us the motivation and drive to accomplish our dreams. Like she said, "This is no dress rehearsal, live life to the fullest." "Mama lanostra famegia amerebbre salutara con tutto lamore" - and in this 21st century that we live in with its modern technology, you are my BFF for all eternity. We not only honor your life, but celebrate your death, God Bless, we will miss you forever. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Richard Carlino (mostly in Josie's native Italian) at 9 a.m. Monday, September 8, 2008 in Historic St. Mary's Church on Capitol Hill. Relatives and friends are invited any may call at the Daniel Keenan Funeral Home, 490 Delaware Ave. Sunday, September 7, 2008 from 3-7 p.m. Interment will follow the Mass in St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands. Those who wish may send memorial contributions to the Alzheimer's Assn. NENY, 85 Watervliet Ave., Albany, NY 12206.