Jo Teleki

Mrs. Josephine “Jo” Teleki (née LoPiccolo) died peacefully at home surrounded by her family on July 21, 2015 in Banning, California at the age of 75. Jo was born to parents Pietro and Lena LoPiccolo on June 16, 1940 in Brooklyn, NY at Long Island College Hospital, the second child of three. Her family moved to Manhattan and her parents owned and operated a grocery store on Second Avenue near 21st Street, known as “the cleanest store on Second Avenue.” She attended The Epiphany School and graduated from Washington Irving High School. In 1964, Jo moved to Los Angeles and remained in California, later living in Sonora, San Diego, and Banning. She married Hungarian immigrant Kornel Teleki on April 8, 1967 and the couple welcomed their son, Keith Kornel, to the family in 1971. Jo was a proud secretary and executive assistant throughout her 47 year career. She always worked for the “big boss” to whom she brought loyalty, chop busting, and insistence on excellent grammar. She retired in 2001 as the secretary to the Warden at RJ Donovan State Correctional Facility in San Diego, where she was one of the founding administrative members of the institution in 1984. Jo was a skilled Scrabble player and proud Sicilian American. She was a truly giving individual who loved to entertain and was passionate about telling anyone who would listen about her two grandchildren. She was a lifelong and dedicated member of the Catholic Church and liked to get to church up to 45 minutes early to get a good seat. Jo personified the tell-it-like-it-is passion that New Yorkers are famous for. In 2006, she took a trip with her son, daughter-in-law Jasmine, and husband Kornel back to New York City and spent a week telling stories, visiting the old neighborhoods, and curating an experience for her family that became known as The Trip of a Lifetime. The unwavering confidence and pride she exuded during this trip was something to behold. As a resident of Sun Lakes Country Club in Banning, California, Jo was a member of the Bocce club, Scrabble club, and designed her home office, backyard patio and custom cabinets throughout her house. Her artwork, pictures of loved ones, and Hungarian porcelain collection are meticulously arranged in all the spaces she designed. Jo is survived by her husband, Kornel Teleki; her son, Keith Teleki; her daughter-in-law, Jasmine Teleki; her sister Serafina Kolb; and her two grandchildren Max and Alex. She is preceded in death by her parents, Pietro and Lena LoPiccolo, and her brother, Frank LoPiccolo. A viewing of the body will be on Saturday July 25 from 12:00PM to 1:00PM at San Fernando Mission Cemetery. A Mass will follow at 1:00PM. Friends and family are welcome to attend and celebrate Jo’s life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) at 800-919-9338. The family would like to thank all of Jo’s wonderful caregivers and loving friends for their care and dedication to her.