Geraldine Jo DiRodio

Geraldine Jo [Fitzgerald] DiRodio, affectionately known as Josie, peacefully entered heaven on January 15, 2024. She was born in Washington DC on May 5,1946, daughter of Alice Jean Fitzgerald, employee of Office of Management and Budget and Donald Lee Fitzgerald, a dedicated armed services employee. She was raised in Maryland and is preceded in death by two siblings, Carol and Johnny. Josie's legacy lives on through her two daughters,Theresa DiRodio and Renata Rosander, her grandchildren, Caterina Rosander and Thorne Britton, as well as her great-grandson, Aaron Rosander-Kolb, nieces Dorothy Jean, Christine, Jessica, nephews Louis and Joseph.

Josie was a remarkable woman, known for her strong Christian faith, her roles as a mother and grandmother, her talents as a pilot and florist, her gifted sketch artistry, her passion for ballet, her role as a prayer intercessor, and her deep love for nature. She joined her loved ones in heaven on Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday and the National Day of Service, a day she had marched alongside MLK at the original 1963 million man march in Washington D.C.

Josie was a tall and radiant woman who exuded joy and light. She maintained her sense of humor, even in her final days, sharing laughs with her family and lifelong friends, Noel Hiotis and Cecilia Jankura, both of whom she had known for over 50 years.

She often spoke of her excitement to shed the burdens of her physical body and journey to heaven. Those who knew Josie were aware that she embraced life to the fullest. She attended revivals with Billy Graham, participated in prayer meetings on Capitol Hill, was present at Woodstock, lived in India, and enjoyed recreational flying in small planes for many years. Josie pursued higher education at the University of Maryland and Georgetown University, where she made a name for herself as one of the first women to wear culottes on campus while riding her bicycle. Her adventurous spirit even led her to ride in a convertible and spend the day conversing with the actor Robert Mitchum.

Her later years were spent in Florida with her daughter Renata after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. She cherished the natural beauty of Florida and shared her love for gardening with her daughter, as she had for her entire life, surrounded by her beloved pets, especially little dogs. Her final day was spent surrounded by her loved ones and hours of serene music played on a Celtic harp by her friend De Luna.

Josie's life will be celebrated on Saturday, February 17, 2024. Her ashes will be released from a small plane over the ocean while her loved ones watch from the shore in Ormond Beach. A private gathering of celebration will follow.