Josephine Reina Wright

Josephine Reina Wright, 100, of St. Petersburg, FL, passed away peacefully on December 28, 2025, and was joyfully reunited with her husband, Edward Seymour Wright, who passed away exactly 20 years earlier on December 28, 2005.

Born to Mary Cannella Reina and Giuseppe Reina on November 26, 1925, the day after Thanksgiving, she was welcomed into a loving family which included her sister Aida and maternal grandparents Giuseppe Cannella and Maria Ferlita Cannella. The Cannellas were among the pioneers who migrated from Santo Stefano, Quisquina, Agrigento, Sicily by way of New York City in the late 1800s and later settled in Tampa in the early 1900s. She was delivered at home by midwife cousin Maria Messina as was customary in those days since physicians were not trained in birthing and hospitals were not yet established. Her family home in Ybor City, Tampa is preserved as part of the district designated on the National Historic Register. Following tradition, as the family grew, it continued to gather there Sunday afternoons throughout the 1970s after which the home was sold when the interstate system disrupted the lovely neighborhood.

Josephine was first affectionately called "Sister," by her sister, Aida and family and friends who knew her through her teens referred to her as such throughout her life only to be replaced by "Jo" among those who first met her as a young adult.

Josephine graduated from Hillsborough High School in Tampa, FL, attended Florida State College for Women in Tallahassee, FL and later graduated with a degree in Education from the University of Tampa. There she met Edward S. Wright, the love of her life, via her brother-in-law Henry Vega, Jr. (Aida's husband). Her stepfather Ignazio Massari is credited with providing the resources for her to earn a college degree. Ignazio lovingly stepped in after Mary had been widowed for 11 years and the family sustained enormous financial losses from the family business, Reina Brothers Wholesale, during the Great Depression which coincided with the death of her father Giuseppe. Josephine taught elementary school in Ybor City before she and Ed were married on November 3, 1950. They welcomed Susan Adele and Karen Jean upon settling in St. Petersburg by way of Sarasota where she taught in an Amish/Mennonite school. Jo went on to become a full-time substitute teacher in the English department at Northeast High in St. Petersburg. Josephine and her husband Edward were active members of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in St. Petersburg.

Josephine is survived by her two daughters, Adele Wright Crim (Bob) and Karen Wallace (Steve) along with four grandchildren, Matthew Crim (Kim), Steve Wallace (Ashley), Amanda Crim Carroll (Damon), Natalie Whitfield (Paul) and nine great-grandchildren.

Living a full century, Josephine witnessed many remarkable changes in the world while remaining firmly rooted in who she was. She carried her love for her hometown of Tampa, then later St. Petersburg throughout her life. Her strength, courage, and unwavering opinions were matched only by her deep devotion to her family, whom she loved fiercely and without condition.

She leaves behind a legacy of strength, love, and family that spans generations. Her life was long, full, and deeply meaningful, and she will be remembered always for the values she lived by and the love she gave. She would always end her conversations and Facetime visits with "I love you big". That continues, especially with her great grandchildren.

Her family would like to thank Westminster Palms of St. Petersburg and Stacey Jones for caring for Mom during the last few years of her life.

Memorial contributions can be made to St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 1200 Snell Isle Blvd. NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33704, where a small service will be to celebrate her life.