Josie was the best friend anybody could have. She was such a special person  I truly miss her

I will always remember Josie with her beautiful smile and sparkle in her eyes. She welcomed you with open arms into her home and made everyone feel like they belonged there.  I will treasure all the years I spent with her on New Year's Eve (I tried to count them but lost count).  I chuckle at the times Korky was the guest in her home and he was served homemade enchiladas (lucky bird).  Thank you too Josie for hosting those years of making ravioli, I won't forget your special way of making them with a small juice glass & a fork as we all brought out the latest tool.  Thank you always for the offer of a cup of coffee but most of all for making me feel welcome.  Love You, Maura

"Hey Gram......
The water is off....
The dog has been fed.....
The garage door is closed...
We just ate.....
YES we would LOVE some COFFEE!!!

"Grand Mama" She certainly was that! An amazing woman full of love, and the light of Jesus. You gave us all so many great memories and moments of pure laughter. Every time I think of you, I smile and rejoice in how blessed we were to have so many years together. You planted a great deal of wisdom in your family and was able to do that with very few words. Thanks for all the wonderful times we spent with you. Looking forward to Eternity & toast.  
See you in Heaven...Donna, Sebastian, and Sagea

Gram Ma Ma......
I will think of you everyday!
I will miss you everyday....There will never be another gram ma ma !!

My heart is full of memories, with pride I say your name.  Though life goes on without you, it will never be the same.  I thought of you today but that is nothing new.  I thought about you yesterday and days before that too!  I think of you in silence and sometimes speak your name.  Your memory is a keepsake, from which I'll never part.  God has you in His arms, I have you in my heart.  Those special memories of you Mom will always bring a smile-I sometimes wish that I could have you back for just a little while.  So Mom, you know I was never real creative but these words express how I feel.  You were the best Mom ever!!  And it's sad when the people who gave you the best memories become a memory.  I can only imagine how much you disliked your last few months living the "goofy" life, and know that Heaven was always your life's goal.  Well now you are in that better place and I know that you are looking down on us, wanting us to be happy and move on because you are such an unselfish person.  Your life was one of giving without expectations.  You loved everyone and everyone loved you.  You brought joy and happiness to all.  I am sure that I will shed many a silent tear.  I love you today and always.

There are so many wonderful memories of such a beautiful woman. A woman so full of life. One memory that warms my heart is getting up in the morning and hearing Gram's joyful, “Good Morning”. The smell of “her” coffee which could never be duplicated, though many have tried, including myself. Gram is what made the coffee; it was one of a kind, just like her. Having coffee and toast with my favorite cheese, Teleme. In addition, let's not forget how important it was making sure that you covered the entire piece of toast, corner to corner with butter. Being up first with Gram was something very special to me; it always proved to have great conversation and moments treasured.
Another great memory was playing one of my favorite games, Pig Mania, with Gram. This always provided hours of laughs. I remember trying not to let my super competitive side show. I would relentlessly try to roll the highest points possible, a double leaning jowler, worth 60 points. I never wanted to roll a pig out; you did not get any points with that one. Gram was happy with whatever she rolled; she just enjoyed her time with family. I loved hearing Gram laughing finding such genuine amusement, when the little piggy's rolled onto the table. A laugh that will be greatly be missed!
You discover things about yourself over the years, things that become ingrained into who you are because of Gram. I credit her for my love for plants, my quick walk, my hospitality-offerings, such as always offering you just a little something to eat and welcoming family and friends with her signature “Howdy!” I now gladly claim these traits as my own too. I'm so proud to carry her traits because she was such a great role model, who wouldn't be proud of these qualities.
Gram's sincerity about life, love and family is humbling and the woman herself is impossible to describe in words. You will be missed by all. We love you, Gram.

Gram was always able to make any one smile and bring happiness to anyone's heart. I cherish forever her beautiful heart and mind and I hope to teach my son, her great great grandson her sweet ways! She will be greatly missed by all and especially her loved ones! We love you Gram and you are forever in my heart. Love you always-Ashley, Ace and Andy

So many wonderful memories of Gram fill my heart and mind as I think of her.  The one thing I always come back to is what an amazing woman she was, and how much she inspired so many to be their very best.  She was an incredibly strong woman - always bringing her best to the world even on days where most of us would have cowered under the blankets.  Her kindness, love, compassion and strength of character, mind and body will never be forgotten.  Even further, she has left a legacy of strong, capable girls and women who will strive daily to meet her excellent example.  Gram, you set the bar for the rest of us, and we will do our best to honor your spirit.

Gram was the kindest woman I had ever met. I remember as a child just hanging around Gram's eating toast with butter and have always remembered it as the best toast ever. Gram will surely be missed by myself and by all.

The most memorable times I have of Gram, just sitting around the kitchen table talking and eating.  I remember the first time I experienced Gram's hospitality, sitting at the table watching her work the toaster like a culinary chef.  Bread in, toast out, cheese on top, EAT.  Funny, how delicious a simple thing like toast bread and cheese can be when you're at Gram's house.  If you were lucky enough to have any meal prepared from her you know what I mean.  Gram understood the meaning of, “A full stomach makes a happy heart”.   What an honor and blessing it has been to know Gram.  She truly has been an inspiration on how to live life and love family.   
Forever in our hearts.

William, Francine, Willson & Josslyn Mendenhall

The Grand Dame of the Vannucci Clan 
Caring and kind, strong and wise, 
you passed on the wisdom of your years to
so many lives.
Always giving of yourself - you touched many hearts
Now we must share all that you imparted.
Shine brightly Grams!

Gram was a VERY special person.
Even though we (Kim, Karen & I) we not her blood grandchildren, she ALWAYS made us feel we were as much of the family as everyone else. Every time we would visit, “loving hugs all around and cookies for all”. Even after I had my own son (Anthony), she did the same for him “Hugs and cookies”. Anthony was so proud to see his picture on Grams wall along with all the others. Yes indeed, she was a VERY special person. 
God Bless you Grams. You will forever be loved and missed.

The Edwards Family

Gram was one a my favorite clients to see at my salon! She was a delight to cut hair for. Gram was so excited to see me and I her. Her smile was so big and she was so happy. I loved her smile and the look in her eyes when she sat down in my chair for a haircut. She always was a pleasure to see and her beautiful white hair. Gram' s smile and beauty will be missed. love you Phil G.

Grammy had the heart of an angel. I always looked forward to going to see her in the summer and the winter. She was always in the kitchen cooking some dinner. After we are we usually played games and after the games had coffee and cookies unless you were a kid then you got milk. Grammy will be missed by everyone and in our hearts forever. It's not every day you meet someone with Grammys personality or her love for going to church. Or someone who loved their family very much. I love ya Grammy :)

The mold was broken when Gram was made. I will always remember her welcoming you to her front door, an exuberant “Howdy” and open arms. You knew you were home, instantly.  That's what Gram was to so many, home. Where you felt loved and cherished no matter how long you had been away. You had been missed. 
There are many things we all associate Gram with besides her radiance and warmth, each unique and special just the way she made you feel. For me it was clean sheets, walnuts, tiddlywinks, TV guides and John Wayne. 
I always loved the smell of the sheets at Gram's house. They always smelt so clean and crisp. It was a smell distinctly Gram's. 
Another thing that I associate with Gram is walnuts, which might seem odd unless you have been to her home. Where up on the mantel, in a place of honor, is a wooden plaque with half a walnut shell on it, topped with a birthday hat; Made lovingly by one of my cousin's decades ago. 
No one else on the planet had Tiddlywinks except Grammy and Grampy. When we would come down and visit it was the game of choice for so many years. Hours and hours were spent trying to master this game. It was the best game in the world and it was at Grammy's. 
TV guides, I always looked forward to reading them. Grammy and Grampy would keep them in stacks and every time we would come down and visit there was always a stack by the fireplace. I would read each one cover to cover. This was back in the day when TV guides were still at least a quarter inch think and you could still smell the printing ink on them. We didn't have cable at home, what we did have was rabbit years and if we were lucky we got three channels. So, I had formed this fascination with the TV Guide and Grammy and Grampy had the best ones or why else would they keep them?  Gram would come by every once in a while when I was reading and rustle my hair. She gave you unconditional acceptance.  
I remember hearing years ago that Grampy was your John Wayne. I can't flip through a channel without stopping when one of his movies is on without thinking of you and Grampy, the love you had for one another warms the heart and inspires us all.
This amazing woman loved more than she was loved and many, many people loved her. She was an astonishing woman, small in stature but her heart, her heart was bigger than us all. 
She was steadfast in her love for her family and it was infectious. She set an example for anyone who ever met her with her limitless kindness, generosity and compassion. 
Whenever someone comes to my house I'm always trying to feed them, something. Over the years my friends have teased me for it but I always laugh it off and say, “I can't help it. I learned it from my Gram”. I really did. 
Each of our lives is better because of her. For being blessed to have such an amazing woman in our lives for as long as we did. My children were able to know her. I am so grateful for that. She continues to live on in her our hearts, memories and stories. Especially over toast with cheese and the never seemingly ending pot of coffee. 
You are missed Gram more than any words can express. We love you.

Since i can remember you have always been a huge part of my life. Though i didn't spend no where near the amount of time with you that i would have liked. I will always remember walking in the house and being greeted with a warm loving smile and a big hug, along with the offering of coffee,cookies or if i was really lucky some left overs from last nights dinner. Your love for life and family have left a life long impression on me. I will miss being able to see the love in your eyes and feeling the warmth in your heart. I love you Gram

 I remember the first time I went to Grams house we were up late talking and she made coffee, I was up for  most of the night staring at the ceiling. Funny thing is I never quit drinking coffee at night when we went to Grams. She welcomed me into the family from day one, she always had a smile and a hug for me. I feel very blessed to have been a part of her life.

I loved when she went boop boop to my head. I loved when she said "you didn't eat anything" to me after we got done with dinner. But most of all I loved when she laughed and smiled. I loved grammy very much she was a very important person in my life.  I will miss you.

Grammy and I are in the middle sister club. She made me smile when she went bop bop. I love to eat her raviolis and they were really good, I will always think of Grammy when I eat raviolis. we would some times play a game together and I would have so much fun. I love you Grammy so much.

Gram was my friend and although I am certain of where she resides now and I'm happy for her, I will miss her being a part of my life.  I will miss our dinners, our game nights, and our Christmas morning breakfasts… but most of all I will miss her smile and our conversations, then her hug with ‘come back real soon' when it was time for me to leave.  She had a way of making everyone feel special and I will think of her always.

Someone who passed by Gram in the local market or on the sidewalk as she was walking to church may not look at this little old lady and think "abundance", but that was my first impression of her when I met her over 20 years ago.  It is the one word that always seemed to fit her over the years I knew her.  Whenever anybody came to her home she greeted them with an open heart and warm smile and then immediately offered food and coffee and hospitality that didn't stop until it was time to leave.  When you did go her parting comments were always thanks for coming by and an invitation to return as soon as you could.  Abundance tends to be linked to material wealth and all its trappings, but Gram knew the true meaning of the word by being abundantly generous with everyone who shared any amount of time with her.

You were small but you were mighty! I cherish every moment we had together and will hold those memories in my heart forever. You touched the lives of every soul you met and made us all better just for knowing you. Now as I look to the sky each night, I swear the heavens shine a little brighter because you're there. I miss you. I love you. Always.

I'm really glad I had the chance to meet Gram. She was warm, kind, and very welcoming to me and, in that wonderful garden of hers, she put me immediately at ease as we talked – almost as if we'd known each other for years: Which, on my part, is partly true given that I'd been hearing stories about Gram for many years. Considering the amazing, positive influence she had on my friend Kyle's life, I have no doubt that the memory of Gram will live on for generations.

Gram was known by many and loved by more. She was center point of the Vannucci family. Gram was always the first to rise in the morning and the last to go to bed. Whenever I visited grams house, whether as a kid or an adult, she always was concerned about whether or not I had gotten enough to eat. Gram you are one of a kind and will be dearly missed,  but never forgotten. Every time we get together for ravioli's we know you will be there watching over us. I love you gram...RIP.

I am thankful for having known this amazing woman.  Before I married into the Vannucci family, we visited Gram for Rav Fest.  She instantly welcomed me into her home. From that time, I have always felt welcome in her presence.  She had a loving, caring way about her that puts you at ease.  You could see the pride in her face when she spoke of family and friends and she had a fun loving spirit that greeted everyone with a smile and a hug.  She will be remembered with a smile and missed with heavy hearts.

I'm so glad to have known Gram through my very good friend Kyle.  She loved her family dearly and was as sweet as can be.  I will always remember her beautiful smile.

I remember running as a little guy to keep up with grams "Olympic sprint" walk on the way to church, dang she was fast! I also remember coming to stay with her and how much I loved the towels and sheets freshly warmed in the oven by such a loving grandmother. There's so many great memories I'd take up all the room in this book for the rest of you to comment but Iam sure glad I have them and I'll miss her great smile and open arms. I love you Grammie and I know your wearing that smile permentaly now the you have rejoined Grampy and your sisters. Say hi!! Ill miss you,you were the center stone to our family.  " Salute gram" peace be with you.

You were not only my "Gram" but my best friend. I loved walking in the door every night greeted by your smile followed by "howdy" and the house smelled of the amazing dinner you were cooking.  You always listened to me rant about my day and made me feel like everything would be okay.  Coffee and cookies after dinner will always be one of my favorite times of the day.  I loved that we were the only house with a toaster at the dining table, and we always had at least one back-up. You always welcomed everyone in your home and your world without judgment or expectation.  
You were my mentor and my foundation. You taught me about religion/faith without any words. You showed me that true love does last forever, even when your soul mate left this world too early. You make me strive to be the best person I can be by you just being you. I value our time together as gift that I treasure and hold close to my heart.
Thank you so much for all that you have done for me and the family. You raise three wonderful kids with such strong values, kindness, compassion and strength. They have passed those same qualities to their kids, and then to their kids.  You have made a lasting impression on all of us without even trying.
Every morning I wake up thinking of our morning chats over coffee, cheese and toast. Every evening I go home, wishing you were there. Coffee after dinner will always make me smile. 
Gram, thank you for sharing your life and your home with me!

There wasn't a time I went to Gram's house that she wouldn't try to feed me. She would look at Kyle and tell her to get me something to eat and I would always laugh and tell her I already ate. 5 minutes later she would try to feed me again. I will remember her soft, gentle, welcoming smile and how great she always made me feel.

Buon Viaggio as you move on to the negozio di pasta and show them the correct way to make ravioli that melt in your mouth and cause people to sigh with delight. A pleasure knowing you lovely lady - Ciao! Nina Mazzo

OBITUARY

Josephine Mary Vannucci

Born 11 MARCH, 1917

Lima Family Erickson Memorial Chapel

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services