Josephine "Joey" Ann Elworth

JOSEPHINE ANN ELWORTH 1930 – 2016 Josephine "Joey" Ann (Polito) Elworth age 85 of Omaha, NE formerly of Plattsmouth, NE passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 15, 2016 at Bergan Mercy Medical Center in Omaha, NE. Joey was born on May 1, 1930 to Salvatore "Ted" and Tina (Miloni) Polito in Omaha. She spent many of her formative years in the heart of Little Italy near Sixth and Pierce Streets in Omaha surrounded by many aunts, uncles, and cousins – Politos, Milonis, Palmesanos, Marcuzzos, Moscreys, Nocitas, Pezdirtzes, and Gentiles. She was very proud of her Sicilian heritage. She graduated from Park Grade School (1943), St. John's High School (1947), and Duchesne College (1951). Joey was the first in her family to earn a college degree. She married Herbert James Elworth on June 27, 1953 at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Omaha. The couple lived briefly in Minnesota, where Joey taught school, before returning to Omaha, where they began raising a family that eventually grew to 11 children. Joey and Herb were among the founding families of St. Robert Bellarmine parish in 1966 on what was then the western edge of Omaha. The family moved to Plattsmouth in 1973 and then to Joey's "dream home" at Beaver Lake in 1989. As the kids got older Joey returned to the classroom, spending many years as the kindergarten teacher at St. John the Baptist School in Plattsmouth. Joey loved being at the lake and remained there following Herb's death in 1998, until health issues forced her to sell the house in 2012. She suffered from dementia in her last years but retained her positive personality, unshakeable Catholic faith, charitable nature, and concern for others. Joey is survived by her children: Jim (Carol), Indianapolis; Mary, Chicago; Patrice Tina Peterson, South Sioux City; Theresa (Tom Flagel), Franklin, TN; Jane (Steve Canfield), Salt Lake City; Susan (Tom Johns), Portland, OR; Robert (Eileen), Chicago; Peggy (Jim Canavan), Scottsdale, AZ; Ann (Tom Winner), Las Vegas; son-in-law: Frank Safranek, Omaha; 18 grandchildren, five great grandchildren, brother-in-law: Bob Elworth, Springfield, MO; numerous nieces, nephews, dear cousins, former students, and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents: Ted and Tina Polito, brother: Salvatore Polito Jr., loving husband: Herb Elworth, son: Paul, daughter: Christine, granddaughter: Mary Margaret Elworth, and son-in-law: Kevin Peterson. Visitations will be held on Sunday, March 20, 2016 from 1:00 to 5:00 P.M. at Roby Funeral Home in Plattsmouth. A Rosary Service at 7:00 P.M., Sunday, March 20, 2016 at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Plattsmouth. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 A.M., Monday, March 21, 2016 at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Plattsmouth with Father Loras K. Grell officiating, Joy Scanlan as lector, Dick Wassinger and Lynn Vinduska as acolytes, Terry Little as vocalist, and Laurie Hajek-Jones as organist. The Pallbearers will be Joey's grandchildren. Final Resting Place will be at Calvary Cemetery in Omaha, NE. The family requests that you consider memorials in Joey's name to Duchesne Academy in Omaha or St. John the Baptist School in Plattsmouth.