Josephine Delgado

Josephine was a resident of Bronx, New York.

Josephine Delgado was born on March 25,1930 in Washington Heights, NYC, the second child of Carmelo Delgado and Monserrate Delgado (Santana). Her father worked as a mechanic in a garage, and her mom was a homemaker. Her early childhood was spent at home with her brother Manny, and cousins Norma, Mary and Jimmy (Tia Claudina’s kids) were always nearby. “We had fun being together” she said. Spanish was spoken at home, and when her dad brought her to her first day of Catholic school, the nuns were a little concerned. “She doesn’t speak English?”, they asked. “No” dad told them – “that’s your job”. Later in life, Josephine admitted she was “scared to death that day; I cried for my father to stay! He didn’t, and I didn’t speak at all!”, but she eventually did learn the language and learned it well. When Josephine was 8, a tonsillectomy put her in the hospital overnight. Again, she was scared; her dad said – “don’t worry, I’ll be back in a little while”. He didn’t return until the next day – “and because of that, I never liked when anyone lied, not for anything – EVER!” (and she meant it!).

When Josephine was 9, her father died from injuries sustained in an accident at the garage. Life changed, but the family stayed together in Washington Heights, at one point living with her Tia Theresa and her family – young cousins Richard and Joseph. “We did what was needed”. Mom Monserrate taught “the girls” (Mary, Norma and Josie) how to cook and sew – “you know, what the girls had to learn how to do” – and “keep the house”. After high school, Josephine worked as a secretary in an office (“nothing special”). When her brother Manny started work at Flower Fifth Avenue Hospital in the mid 1960’s, Josephine also began working there as secretary/assistant to a top neurologist. In this position, she got to travel as an assistant at different conferences around the world (“travelling – one of the best parts of the job”). When the hospital closed in 1978, Josephine continued her work for the same neurologist in Valhalla, NY, and remained there until her retirement in 1995. By this time, she and her mom had moved to Flushing to live in her cousin Mary’s house. After Monserrate’s death in 1982, Josephine continued to live there until Aunt Theresa’s husband died; then she moved to Coop City in the Bronx to help her “titi” – “she needs help with finances and the boys (who were men by then), and I’m the one to do it”. In the early 2000’s, Joseph moved to a group home; Titi died in 2010 (98!); Richard died in May 2025. Josephine then lived alone – but always insisted “I’m never alone, God is with me”. She continued to walk with her walker (“it’s good for me”) every day, even if it was just 10 steps, and spent most of her time indoors watching the game show network, TCM movies, or a good soccer or tennis match. Although in pain from arthritis (“it’s here, and there, and here. . .”) she NEVER complained; even when she lost sight in her right eye she said, “I still have my left”. Always grateful for life, always thankful and blessing anyone who assisted her, held a door, offered a hand.

Josephine was a wonderful daughter, wonderful sister, wonderful cousin and friend to many. However, her GREATEST asset was being an aunt, a great aunt, and a great-grand aunt. Everyone should be blessed enough to have an aunt like Aunt Josie, or Aunt Jo as we called her. Part Mary Poppins, part fairy godmother, even a little Nanny McPhee (without the facial defects), wholly Aunt Jo, she was kind and caring, loving and giving, gentle, full of heart and humor – also strong-willed, no-nonsense and practical! She treated ALL of her nieces and nephews equally. She loved spending time with each, loved reading to the kids, watching movies (she once watched the “Under The Sea” scene from “The Little Mermaid” 15 times in a row), playing games (she LOVED teaching the boys to play poker), and taking the kids on outings. She made everything FUN, even if she had to “correct” someone over something; if she started a sentence with “you kids” or “you people”, we knew there was a lesson to be learned. She was a confidante and a defendant for each of us. She delighted in all accomplishments and commiserated with any trials and tribulations (“it just takes time; it will be ok”). She attended the kids’ concerts and shows, baptisms, communions, confirmations, marriages. She travelled to visit niece Anna and “her boys”, and with niece Maria on NY Choral Society trips (“I’m not in the group – I’m a hummer”). And she LOVED to make up songs – she could make up a song about ANYTHING – chopping vegetables, walking to the car, putting on shoes – ANYTHING! And if she was not singing, she would hum a tune. Aunt Jo remembered EVERYONE’s birthdays and was upset if she didn’t get a card in the mail “on time”. Cards were also sent on Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine’s Day and Halloween (but for the last two, only for the “little ones”).

Josephine was pre-deceased by her parents Carmelo and Monserrate, her brother Manuel Anthony (2006), her sister-in-law Esther (2024), and her nephew Manuel Carmelo (2025). She leaves behind cousins Norma and Joseph, nieces and nephews Anna (John), Maria (Norman), Lorenzo (Susan), Jason (Bri), Joseph (Lorena), Christopher (Samantha), Frankie, Rachel (Tyler), Melissa (Dan), Linda, John, Luisa, Lexi, AnnaJo, Ethan and Lucas.

Aunt Jo was born on the Feast of the Annunciation, and died on Candlemas, Feast of the Presentation in the Temple. Very fitting for our very devoutly Catholic aunt. Never a bad word (expletives were not in her vocabulary – Spanish OR English!). Said her rosary every day. Prayed her “travel prayer” when she knew one of us was travelling. With her prayers, she always put us in God’s hands. Our hearts are broken, and yet, we are all blessed to have had Aunt Jo with us here, and now as our guardian angel from above. There will never be another aunt like her. We love you Aunt Jo!!

A Memorial Service Visitation will be held at Cusimano & Russo Funeral Home, located at 2005 West 6th St, Brooklyn, NY 11223, on February 21, 2026, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am.

A Religious Ceremony will follow at the Church of Sts. Simon & Jude, located at 185 Van Sicklen St, Brooklyn, NY 11223, on February 21, 2026, from 11:45 am to 12:45 pm.