Josephine Angelina Iaconetti

Josephine was an example to us all of how to live a full life dedicated to family, hard work, and generosity before succumbing to poor health in her final years. She is preceded in death by her parents, Angelina and Cosmo Annarumma; her brother, Ralph Annarumma; and her sister, Anna Annarumma; as well as her loving husband, George Iaconetti; daughter, Barbara (Iaconetti) Murphy; and granddaughter, Victoria Rennick.

Due to the loss of her parents and siblings at a young age, Josephine became an orphan. Afterwards, she spent time at the Mother Cabrini Home for Girls in West Park, New York as well as with her aunt and uncle in Brooklyn, New York. As a teenager, she met her “Prince Charming” in George Iaconetti and they married on July 22, 1945 when she was 19 after he returned from Army service in World War II. Josephine and George made a home in Park Slope, Brooklyn where they lived for almost 20 years raising a bustling family of five children. A determined, energetic woman with a strong work ethic, Josephine took the subway into Manhattan for work, often keeping two jobs, to provide a comfortable life for her family. She worked as a food demonstrator for Macy’s, Gimbals, and B. Altmans where one of her most notable clients was the First Lady, Jacqueline Kennedy. She also worked at Lofts Candies and spent her weekday evenings cleaning the offices of J.P. Morgan. Sundays were spent together at the Church of St. Thomas followed by an elaborate family meal she prepared at home. In the late 1970’s, she migrated the family to Tampa, Florida following her oldest daughter Barbara (Iaconetti) Murphy and family. Among her jobs in Tampa, she worked at Curtis Hixon Convention Center and Arena as well as the Tampa Community Hospital where she completed her career near the age of 80 working in the hospital cafeteria and the doctors’ lounge. She was cherished by her colleagues and the physicians alike.

Josephine was well known in the family for her Italian cooking and often refused to eat at Italian restaurants, preferring her own recipes. Everyone will fondly remember her Christmas rosettes and Easter doll anise cookies. One of her favorite pastimes was playing games with family members, especially Gin Rummy and Tri-Ominos. She was famous for helping her grandchildren “cheat” so they could both learn the game, as well as feel the joy of victory. She was a true Italian matriarch and helped organize family holidays and gatherings to create family traditions she had lacked in her own childhood. With great delight, she watched her family expand over the years to include 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, many of whom reside in the greater Tampa area. They are her living legacy.

Josephine is survived by her son, Richard Iaconetti and his wife, Liz; son, Robert Iaconetti and his wife, Wendy; daughter, Georgia (Iaconetti) Rennick and her husband, Mark; son, John Iaconetti and his wife, Angela, who cared for her in her final years. She is also survived by grandchildren Michael Murphy (Rhonda), Lisa Kennedy (Séamus), Robin Faro (Phil), Angela Iaconetti, Christopher Iaconetti (Laura Travison), Michael Iaconetti (Christine), Deanna Iaconetti, David Iaconetti (Melody), Thomas Iaconetti, and Alex Rennick. All of these family members she loved and touched deeply.

A service will be held at 11:00 am Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at Blount & Curry Funeral Home at Garden of Memories, 4207 E. Lake Ave., Tampa, Florida. The family will receive guests one hour prior to the service. Interment to follow the service in Myrtle Hill Memorial Park, Tampa, Florida.