Josephine Di Giovanni

Josephine Di Giovanni, affectionately known as Nana Jo, was born on September 22, 1941 in Cattolica Eraclea, Sicily. She passed away peacefully on July 27, 2024, at the age of 82 in Daytona Beach, FL.

Josephine's life was a testament of love, devotion, and strength to her family. She was the cherished daughter of the late Francesco Di Giovanni and Giuseppa Renda. She was a beloved sister to her surviving brothers, Pasquale Di Giovanni and John Di Giovanni (Stephanie). She was a devoted mother who took immense pride in her two daughters and son-in-laws, Anna Riker (Greg) and Antoinette Jones (John), and a loving grandmother whose legacy lives on through her grandchildren, Francesca Riker, Jesse Riker, Mickenzie Jones and Garrett Jones.

Josephine's life was marked by her passions and talents. She enjoyed dancing, traveling, and playing games like slots, bingo, cards, and Left-Right-Center. Her love for cooking and baking was evident and a source of great joy and pride when she was asked by family and friends to prepare her specialities of Sunday sauce, eggplant parmesan, pasta fazool, cheesecake and fig cookies.

A creative and skilled seamstress/tailor, she was known for her talented work in making and altering dresses, gowns, suits and window treatments. Josephine also had an entrepreneurial spirit which shone through in her ownership of a deli in Orlando and co-ownership of a fabric store and pastry shop in New York.

Those who knew Josephine experienced her welcoming, loving, candid and humorous nature, and she will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

A Celebration of Life Ceremony to honor Josephine Di Giovanni will be held on Saturday, August 17, 2024, from 4-8pm at Volusia Memorial Funeral Home, located at 548 N. Nova Rd., Ormond Beach, FL.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 18, 2024 from 12-1pm at Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home at Chapel Hill, 2420 Harrell Rd, Orlando, FL followed by a graveside service at 1:30pm in Chapel Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to a charity of your choice in Josephine's name.