Josephine M. Magnarella

Devoted Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great-grandmother, and Sister
Mrs. Josephine M. (DeSimone) Magnarella, age 103, passed away on Tuesday, September 12, 2023 at Cheshire House Rehabilitation Center. She was the loving wife of the late Vincent Magnarella.
Born on November 8, 1919, in Waterbury, Josephine was the daughter of the late Joseph and Angela (Salcito) DeSimone. She was a graduate of Washington Grammar School and Wilby High School. In her younger years, Josephine cared for her sister, Jean while her parents ran the family's grocery store on South Main Street. She worked at Uniroyal (Naugatuck Footware; Rubber Shop) for many years and later for Timex.
An amazing homemaker, Josephine was an excellent cook and talented seamstress who enjoyed working in her flower garden. In March of 2005, she was honored by the Waterbury Chamber of Commerce with their annual Beautification Award complete with a personal letter praising her efforts written by Senator Joan Hartley.
During WWII she went to Oklahoma to work at the canteen where she cooked for the soldiers who loved her homemade tomato sauce. Her holiday meals were the best and her family loved her lemon meringue pie. Caring and compassionate, Josephine prepared and delivered homemade meals to sick family members and friends and was always available to give them a ride to the doctor's office or for treatment visits.
Along with her husband, Josephine enjoyed occasional weekend trips to New York City where she shopped, attended Broadway plays, dined, and danced. They also loved to visit Foxwoods Casino with her sister Jean.
Josephine is survived by her daughters Dianne Rosa and her husband Tom of Middlebury and Joan Mejias and her husband Ken of Prospect; her sister Jean DeSimone of Waterbury; and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also leaves several nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to Vincent, her beloved husband of 71 years, Josephine is predeceased by her sisters Grace Pratt and Angela DeSimone and her nephew Joseph Kelsey.
Josephine's family would like to thank Dr. Jega and the entire staff at Cheshire House for their outstanding care, love, and support she received while there. They would also like to thank Chaplain Michael, Melissa, and Stephanie from Saint Mary's Hospital Vista Program for their excellent care and support for Josephine and her family. A special thanks to her nephew Hiram Kelsey for his weekly visits which she looked forward to as well as the visits from her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Josephine's funeral will be held on Tuesday, September 19, 2023 at 8:30am from Maiorano Funeral Home, 95 Willow St., Waterbury to Blessed Sacrament Church for a Mass at 10:00am. Burial will follow in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Watertown. For additional information, to sign the online guestbook, or to leave online condolences for the family, please visit www.maioranofuneralhome.com.