Josephine DeMatteo

Josephine I. DeMatteo SUFFOLK - Josephine Ippolito DeMatteo, or "Mimi," as she was known to most, passed on to heaven June 28, 2010. She was a wonderful woman and her soul and spirit shall remain always. Her love, her smile and her presence will be greatly missed. Dear God, thank you for sharing her with us. We were blessed to have her as a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She was raised in Portsmouth and educated by Catholic nuns at St. Joseph's Academy. She was a lifelong member of St. Paul's Catholic Church and most importantly, she loved, served and remained faithful to Jesus Christ throughout her entire life. She was a special person who asked for little and gave a lot. Jo was an avid dancer and she loved listening to the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra. She was a great cook: her Sunday pasta sauce was a specialty dish and her fried cutlets were a family favorite. Josephine remained very healthy and energetic for 85 of her almost 86 years. She enjoyed exercising at the Portsmouth YMCA, shopping, getting her hair styled every week and always looking her best. She was very beautiful and always young at heart. "Jo" is now celebrating eternal life in heaven with her daughter, her mother and father and her sister; amongst many other friends and family. She was predeceased by her parents, Ernest and Nancy Ippolito; sister, Nancy Roacher; and daughter, Diane Marie DeMatteo. She is survived by her husband retired U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Alfred R. DeMatteo whom she loved with all of her heart. She is survived by her children, Billie DeMatteo Thomas (Al), Corbett DeMatteo (Helen), Jo Anne DeMatteo, Lou Anne Snethen (Jay), Alfred R. DeMatteo, (Michelle), Tina DeMatteo and Joseph DeMatteo (Trish). Josephine is also survived by her two brothers, Dominick and Ernest Ippolito; along with 17 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Her soul and spirit shall remain always. Her love, her smile and her presence will be greatly missed. The DeMatteo family would like to thank Dr. Rogers and staff (Virginia Oncology), the staff at Gastrointestinal and Liver Specialists (of Tidewater), and especially Sentara Home Care and Hospice of Suffolk. A memorial Mass will be held Thursday, July 1, at 11 a.m. at St. Paul's Catholic Church, 518 High St., Portsmouth, with the Rev. David W. Cupps officiating. Interment will follow in the Meadowbrook Mausoleum. Family will join friends Wednesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Baker-Foster Funeral Home, Bennett's Creek Chapel, Suffolk. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul's Catholic Church, Restoration Fund, 518 High St., Portsmouth, VA 23704. Condolences may be registered at www.bakerfoster.com.