Josephine Hess

SELINSGROVE - Josephine (Masanotti) Hess, 86, of 802 Broad St., formerly of 1724 N. Market St., Berwick, died early Monday morning, Nov. 29, 2004, at her home. She had been in declining health for two years.

She was born Dec. 15, 1917, in Berwick, a daughter of the late James Vincent and Antoinette (Isnardi) Masanotti. She married Robert P. "Bob" Hess, who preceded her in death on Feb. 11, 2000. His passing broke a marital union of 64 years.

Josephine was a 1934 graduate of Berwick High School.

She worked for the War Department at AC&F in Berwick during World War II. She also worked as a secretary for Lady Ester in Berwick and for 14 years was a secretary for Keith Schuyler, an insurance agent with Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance. She retired in 1979. Josephine also assisted her late husband with his business, the Bob Hess Garage.

Along with her late husband, Josephine was an active member of First United Methodist Church of Berwick. She served on various committees, the administrative board and was active in the Wesley Sunday School Class and Circle Elizabeth. After moving from Berwick, she attended Wesley United Methodist Church, Selinsgrove.

She was a life member of the Berwick Hospital Center Auxiliary. Josephine was a former volunteer and board member for Meals on Wheels. She also volunteered at bloodmobiles for the American Red Cross.

Surviving, are two daughters, Roberta Marie "Bobbie" Wright and husband, Robert, of Chocowinity, N.C., and Merrie Louise Parker and husband, Harley, of Selinsgrove; four granddaughters, Laurie Barberis and husband, Robert, of Calestoga, Calif., Amy Hunter and husband, Richard, of Williamsport, Jill Foraker of Florida and Elizabeth Parker of Washington, D.C.; three grandsons, Michael Williams and wife, Sandra, of Mechanicsburg, Robert Parker and wife, Lisa, of Philadelphia and Mark Parker and wife, Michelle, of Selinsgrove; and two great-grandchildren, Nicholas and Amanda Williams, both of Mechanicsburg.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by one daughter, Carolyn Joan Foraker, on Sept. 25, 1987; two brothers, James and Victor Masanotti; and two sisters, Mary Carlstrom and Adriana Kallender.

A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at noon Saturday at First United Methodist Church, 200 Market St., Berwick, with the Rev. Timothy Gingrich of Sound Truth Ministries of Freeburg officiating.

Burial will be at the discretion of the family in Pine Grove Cemetery, Walnut Street, Berwick.

The family will provide flowers and suggests that donations in Josephine's memory be made to the Evangelical Hospice, 1 Hospital Drive, Lewisburg, PA 17837.

Arrangements are being handled by the Kelchner-McMichael Funeral Home Inc., 119-121 E. Third St., Berwick.