Josephine Bernadette Madden

Josephine was born on August 23, 1936 and spent her childhood growing up in the Little Italy section of Manhattan and Hollis, Queens with her parents, Pasquale and Philomena Guariglia and her siblings Maria, Pat, Michael and Angela. Always spirited and independent, she chose to attend St Aloysious High School and graduated in 1953. Soon after beginning her career as a secretary in New York, she was out with colleagues one night and had a chance encounter with a young man who was reporting to Marine basic training in North Carolina the next day. She asked him if she could write to him while at basic training - and thus began a love affair that would last over 70 years. Josephine married Bill shortly after he completed his military service on September 10, 1956. Together they had four children: Michael, William, James and Ann-Marie. Bill’s work took them from Long Island to Pennsylvania in 1972 where they raised their children, built their life together and were active members in the community.

As her children grew and became independent, Josephine resumed her career and became a well respected and successful Certified Personnel Consultant. Professionally, like all aspects of her life, Josephine was determined, passionate and successful. She was also incredibly supportive, encouraging and fiercely loyal to her colleagues, friends and family.

Josephine loved the sun and the beach and spent a large part of every winter in Marco Island, FL where she continued to build a vibrant social network. Josephine loved tennis and was a fan of the Philadelphia sports teams. She also loved to travel – especially to Italy. Josephine was a master at cooking traditional Italian cuisine, a talent she shared with her grandchildren to carry on. Josephine was also a fantastic mahjong player and always enjoyed a trip to Atlantic City. More than anything, she loved her children and adored her grandchildren – Julia, Cliff, Tyler, Erika and Dean. She was extremely active in their lives and loved attending games, events and milestones and was enormously proud of them. They adored Mom-Mom and brightened her days by visiting often. Josephine will be missed immensely but her memory and presence will be with her family and friends forever.

A visitation for Josephine will be held at St. Isaac Jogues (50 W Walker Rd. Wayne, PA 19087) on Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 9:30am with a funeral mass to follow at 10:30am.

Anyone interested in making a donation in her name, Josephine requested that they be made to the CM13 Fund for Undiagnosed Illnesses in honor of her grandson, Cliff, at the link/address below.

https://helphopelive.org/campaign/20994/