Josephine Svenningsen

Born Josephine Testa in Tompkinsville, Mrs. Svenningsen met Ralph Svenningsen in 1954. The two were married five months later, and moved to Westerleigh. She had lived in Meiers Corners for the past 12 years.

Mrs. Svenningsen was a homemaker for most of her life. She worked for about 15 years as a lunchroom assistant for several Staten Island public schools.

She was a parishioner of Holy Family R.C. Church, Castleton Corners.

Mrs. Svenningsen was known around several Staten Island communities because she was a dedicated walker, covering five to 10 miles every day. She continued walking whenever she could up until a month before her death, her family said.

In her retirement years, she enjoyed traveling with her husband and their neighbors and friends. Mrs. Svenningsen also loved entertaining, cooking and baking.

But, it was her family she most enjoyed. "Spending time with her family and grandchildren was her passion,'' said Joan Svenningsen, her daughter-in-law. "She loved her family. That was her crowning glory.''

Her husband of 49 years, Ralph, died in 2004.

Surviving are her sons, Jeffrey and Kenneth; a sister, Rita DiDomenico, and five grandchildren.

The funeral service will be Saturday at 11 a.m. in the Casey Funeral Home, Castleton Corners. Arrangements include cremation.