JOSEPHINE LEBLANC

1941 - 2021

LEBLANC, Josephine (Amato) Age 79, formerly of Cambridge, Milton, and Scituate. Josephine passed away at home surrounded by family on January 16, 2021. She was the adored life partner of Theodore "Ted" Bearor, beloved mother of four, cherished grandmother of eight, and devoted friend to countless others with whom she generously shared her heart and spirit.

Josephine was born in Medford on October 25, 1941 to Vincenzo (Jimmy) and Paulina (Polly) (Aiello) Amato. She grew up in Medford and Scituate with an extended family of grandparents, aunts, and cousins, where she was beloved for her sense of adventure, her outspokenness, and her voracious appetite for books and learning. She was a graduate of Scituate High School, Class of 1958, and soon after completed her nursing degree at Boston Children's Hospital. She later earned her Bachelor's in Social Work from Bridgewater State University and a Master's in Social Work from Smith College.

Jo faced life's challenges and joys with energy, passion, and determination. As a single mother of four, she raised her children to appreciate life and have compassion for others. During her long career as a social worker, Jo protected and advocated for children and families in need. After retiring from DSS, Jo worked for many years helping families adopt children from China. She loved her work, she loved her family and friends, and she loved her life. Jo will be remembered for her great sense of fashion, her appreciation for good food and conversation, and her way of never, ever backing down from a good argument.

She is survived by her children, James Myers of Rochester, New York, Anne Kendrick and her husband Steven of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, Paula Tate and her husband Charlie of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, and Jane Colangelo and her husband Stephen of Rutland, Massachusetts. Her grandchildren are Sophie, William and Miles Kendrick, Gianni, Isabella and Zoe Colangelo, and Lucy and Mariam Tate.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her brother, Anthony Amato.

Funeral Services and interment will be held privately. A Memorial Service will be held in the Summer. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Jo's memory to any organization that advocates for children, for the poor, or for social justice. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Blake Chelmsford Funeral Home, 24 Worthen Street, CHELMSFORD. Funeral Director Paul A. Hardy, Jr. For online condolences, please visit www.chelmsfordfuneralhome.com and find us on Facebook.