Josephine P. Williams

Born on February 4, 1936, to Frank and Santina (Mendola) Caldarella, Jo brought love, laughter, and an unwavering loyalty to everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.

She lived a beautiful life defined by her deep dedication to her family, and her warm, comforting, protective presence will be profoundly missed by all who loved her.

Jo lived a very full and busy life raising her family, mostly in Bardonia, NY, where they lived for almost 50 years. Embodying the term “Mama Bear”, Jo fiercely loved her family and welcomed all of her daughters’ friends into the fold as if they were her own. She

was an active and fun mother and grandmother, always ready to play house or store, build pyramids, and jump rope. She loved teaching her girls and their friends how to play handball and box ball—games she played growing up on 101st Street in New York

City, which she loved reminiscing and telling stories about. Jo was also active in her community, dedicating her time to Saint Francis of Assisi Church, the PTA and the Ladies Auxiliary of the Bardonia Men’s Club, and she enjoyed playing in her local bowling league. While she liked relaxing with crocheting and needlepoint, Jo especially loved playing cards. An avid poker player, she delighted in teaching her children and grandchildren how to play, making cards and playing games a cherished centerpiece of family holidays. She also enjoyed Atlantic City, the slot machines, and especially the poker tables, spending many fun—and sometimes very profitable—times there with her family. Above all, her most favorite pastime was cooking and sharing her cooking skills with others. She found immense joy in baking and preparing meals for large family gatherings, and everyone knew that no one made a meatball as good as Jo. In addition to proudly honoring her family’s traditions and her Sicilian heritage, Jo delighted in trying new dishes and proudly accomplished and adopted many recipes from *Bon Appétit* magazine.

Jo is now joyfully reunited in peace with her beloved husband, James “Jimmy” Williams; her cherished daughter and “birthday buddy”, Patricia Williams; her precious grandson, Joseph Ryan Carregal; her parents, Frank and Santina; and her five siblings, Rose,

Reno, Florence, Johnny, and Stella.

Her legacy of love continues through her devoted daughters: Gail (Joseph) Carregal of Manning, SC; Marianne Williams of New City, NY; Dawn (Donald) VanHouten of Highland Lake, NY; and Dianne Lacy (Eric Hosier) of Texas City, TX. Jo was also a proud and adoring grandmother to Stacey (Brian Hines) and Jason Carregal, Eric Williams, Emily and Cody VanHouten, Kassondra and Jon-Michael (Hannah) Lacy, and Jimmy Hosier; great-grandmother to Cadence Perez, David and Davion Castro, and Alice and Alexander Lacy; and a delighted great-great-grandmother to Everly Perez.

She also leaves behind her beloved goddaughter Camille Bailey and her husband Ray—with whom Jo and Jimmy shared many special adventures—along with many cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and friends. Each of them will carry her memory and her spirit forward in their own lives.

A memorial service will be held at Michael J. Higgins on South Main Street in New City on Saturday, June 13, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to a children’s charity of your choice.