Josephine Mary Lian

Josephine Mary Lian passed away peacefully at home on January 10, 2025, at the age of 98. Josephine was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She was born to Mary (nee Kawas) and Louis Azrak on April 22, 1926, in Paterson, NJ. As a young child, she moved with her family to Brooklyn, where she resided for the rest of her life. She graduated from Manual Training High School and was employed by Hunter Douglas and later by Janklow and Traum. In 1952, she married the love of her life, James J. Lian. 

Josephine was a committed volunteer leader, serving the New York Methodist Hospital Auxiliary, the Ladies Society of the Church of the Virgin Mary, the Greater Brooklyn Chapter of the American Red Cross, the United Hospital Fund, and the Healthcare Association of New York State. In 2002, she was admitted to the Order of the Holy Sepulchre. 

She was an avid reader and enjoyed traveling, cooking, sewing, gardening, spending summers in Lordship, Conn., bargain hunting, and spending time with family and friends. ​She was an event planner extraordinaire and the most gracious hostess, capable of throwing elaborate parties or whipping up a last-minute meal when the doorbell rang with unexpected guests. She created enduring memories with all who knew her. 

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Jimmy, and her siblings, Elv​ira (Honey) Azrak, Antoinette Jaeg​er, Charles Azrak, Agnes Azrak, Helen Trabulsy, Tony Azrak, and Sarah Kassis. She is survived by her daughters and their spouses, Regina and Peter Iulo, Marguerite and George Hajjar, Anissa and Stephen DeMatteo; her grandchildren Gregory, Jonathan, Lily, Jimmy, Charlie, and Audrey; her many loving nieces and nephews, and her devoted caregivers, especially Wendy Sealey, Maureen Janvier, Janice Alleyne, and Vinroy Baronette. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Church of the Virgin Mary, 216 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11215.

A visitation for Josephine will be held Monday, January 13, 2025 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM and 6pm to 8pm at Joseph G. Duffy, 255 Ninth Street, Brooklyn, NY 11215. A funeral mass will occur Tuesday, January 14, 2025 from 10:00 AM at Church of the Virgin Mary 216 8th Ave Brooklyn, NY 11215. A committal will occur Tuesday, January 14, 2025 from 11:30 AM at Green-Wood Cemetery 500 25th St Brooklyn, NY 11232.