Josephine A. Melusky

Jo was born March 31, 1923 in Hartford to the late Joseph Alekna and Elizabeth (Stankevicz) Alekna.

Jo Melusky graduated from East Hartford High School in 1941 and immediately began working at the Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance Company in a career that lasted 72 years, until her death. A parishioner of Saint Isaac Jogues Church for 50 years, Jo volunteered at Bingo, sang in the choir, and never failed to share special treats from her oven for the bake sales.

She was active in numerous organizations over the years including Habitat for Humanity where, well into her 80’s, she applied her experience in building the family home with her husband, and her seemingly tireless energy, leaving those who worked alongside her with a sense of marvel.

A lifelong resident of Highview Street in East Hartford, she married John A. Melusky on October 17th, 1944, and together they built their home on the same street where her parents lived during the time of the great 1955 flood.

Jo was a devoted wife and mother and she maintained her career as a paralegal, putting as much commitment and passion into that as she did into spending time with her family, her church and her extended family. A “force of nature” … that’s how Jo was known. Her life was spent sharing her unlimited energy, ready smile, generosity, and genuine concern, always putting the care for others above herself. This was how she was, even into her final days. Her unfiltered personality over a pure heart gained the respect and awe of all those who knew and worked with her.

She was an avid animal lover, and animals avidly loved her. The mere mention of “grandma’s coming” would create a frenzy of excitement with the dogs that would wait by the door until she arrived. There is no hiding a pure heart. She enjoyed baking and knitting and she must have knit hundreds of booties, sweaters, caps, mittens, and blankets for family, as well as her many friends, and co-workers. Her love of gardening resulted in beautiful and colorful gardens and a steady stream of fresh produce for neighbors and co-workers. She loved her time traveling on bus trips with her friends and was always the supply of positive energy for any party or gathering.

Jo is survived by her son, Robert Melusky, and his wife Pamela of Manchester, CT, and her daughter Jean Elizabeth Melusky of Toronto, Ontario.

Jo had many special nieces and nephews and even more who were unrelated but knew her with affection as “Auntie Jo”, including Marianne Hyland, who selflessly helped her with transportation and emotional support during her many months of medial treatments.

The family would also like to extend special thanks to neighbor Sheila Crowley who was nothing short of an Angel of Mercy during Jo’s most trying times. She was also very comforted by the numerous visits from her Phoenix Family as well as cards, flowers and meals delivered by friends and family alike.

Jo was predeceased by her parents, her brother Alex Alekna, her sister Ellen Long, and her dear friend from childhood, Jane Dombrowski.

Funeral services will begin Monday, February 18th, 2013 at 8:30am from Glastonbury Funeral Home, 450 New London Turnpike, Glastonbury, CT, which will be followed by the Funeral Liturgy at 10am in Saint Isaac Jogues Church, 1 Community Street, East Hartford. Burial will follow in Hillside Cemetery, East Hartford.

Visitation hours will be Sunday, February 17th from 3PM until 6PM at the funeral home. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.newkirkandwhitney.com