Josephine Celli

Josephine Marion Celli (née Patti) was born on March 21, 1918, to Italian immigrants in Union City, New Jersey, living within a tight circle of family members in a small apartment complex. Josephine had the good fortune, not only to attend grade school and high school, but to attend college and become the first in the family to graduate from New York University.

Her initial working years were spent in the government setting in Washington, D.C. She returned to New Jersey afterwards and met, through a blind date, her future husband, Vincent Carl Celli.

They married, had three children, Vincent, Adelaide, and Marguerite and, after living in Brooklyn, NY for many years, moved to Fort Lee, New Jersey.

Josephine succeeded in obtaining a teaching license and began a long career in the elementary school system. She taught fourth grade for the majority of that time and enjoyed the challenge of meeting a new group of students every year.

Josephine and Vincent enjoyed many years of dancing at social events, engaging in church activities, and attending school events for their children.

Throughout these years, there were two key elements in Josephine’s life that kept her grounded - her family, and her faith. She never wavered in her firm belief in God, attendance at Mass, and she instilled those beliefs in her children. When her husband died in 1978, Josephine continued to teach, dance, travel and spend time with her children and grandchildren, always the center and light of her life.

When advanced age no longer allowed Josephine to enjoy physical activities, she continued to cook and entertain for as long as she could.

Her last years were spent in Yonkers, NY, where she became the star as the oldest parishioner at Sacred Heart Monastery Church. She cherished those years and became the darling of the parish.

Josephine died peacefully in her sleep in the early hours of February 15th. She is survived by her son, Vincent and his wife Sandra, her daughter Adelaide and her dear companion, John, her daughter Marguerite, seven grandchildren - Walter Michael (Mary), Aimee (Corey), Christine, Melissa (Alfredo), Michael (Sarah), Nicole (Jake),and Jessie (Omar), as well as 10 great grandchildren - Noah, Walter, Gabriel, Beatrice, Basil, Winter, Charles, Mark, Matthew, and Charlotte. She is also survived by her most treasured cousin, Angela.

Visiting hours for Josephine will be held Friday, February 21, 2025 from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Whalen & Ball Funeral Home, 168 Park Ave, Yonkers, NY 10703. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, February 22, 2025 from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM at Sacred Heart Church, 110 Shonnard Place, Yonkers, NY 10703. Interment will follow at Madonna Cemetery & Mausoleum, 2070 Hoefleys Ln, Fort Lee, NJ 07024.