Josephine M. Seidl

“Seeing is believing” for Josephine M. Seidl, it summarized her very essence. She was modest, quiet and observant, taking in everything around her. She was a realist, someone who was efficient and practical in everything she did. She was a friendly person who truly cared about those around her.

Josephine Zingariello was born on November 30, 1935. She was born at home in South Park, a suburb of Seattle. She was the daughter of Virgilio Domenico and Maria Pasqualina. Virgilio would pick dandelions and mushrooms to eat. Pasqualina made homemade pasta. Jo grew up in South Park. One funny story, when playing with friends, Jo climbed inside a tire and her friends pushed her so she rolled down the hill. Jo kept yelling, "Stop it! Stop it!". She was brought up to be trustworthy, responsible and punctual. These traits helped guide her throughout life’s journey.

As a young girl, Jo was always aware of how others around her felt, and this quality served her well. With a deep capacity to tolerate the feelings of others, she was generally able to avoid conflicts. Preferring a quiet environment where she could concentrate, Jo also had the ability to relate well to her family and friends. She was raised with four siblings. Jo had two older sisters, Medea and Virginia, one younger sister, Jamma, and one younger brother, Joe.

Of course, there were the typical spats while growing up, but everyone deeply cared for each other and shared many life experiences over the years. The siblings were very close. Jo's grandparents lived in Italy so she never met her grandparents. The only extended family that lived in the United States was Jo's uncle, Louis, her dad's brother.

Growing up, Jo was one of those children who didn’t need to be in the center of a whirlwind of activity. She was content to entertain herself for the most part. She was never pushy when it came to games and other activities, but rather, she was simply able to enjoy the pure fun these could bring. Her early school years were spent at Concord Elementary School.

Most folks would say that Jo was shy until they got to know her. Those who were privileged to know her well learned that she was a solid, good friend. Jo was reluctant to generalize about people, and she based her friendships on her personal experiences. Some of her early childhood friends included Betty Chanzana, Teresa Delorenzo, and Venida Pricardo.

Jo's family lived in a small modest home. There was a wood stove and an ice box. There was no washing machine, so laundry was done on a washboard.

While in school, Jo was generally quiet in class, learning best through observation. While in high school, one of her most challenging projects was to sew a coat; she was so relieved to get a passing grade. Jo enjoyed going to the pep assemblies. She graduated from Cleveland High School in 1954.

It was a part of Jo’s nature to be a bit cautious around other people. Because of this, she best trusted those people that she truly knew. She was concerned about how those around her felt, and she always seemed to bring out the positive side of people. She could relate to others and had the ability to see their point of view, to “walk a mile in their shoes,” as the saying goes. In short, the friends who she made, she kept. Some of Jo's best friends in high school were her sisters, Medea and Jamma, and Florence Cappuccio.

After high school, Jo attended Griffith Business College for one year.

Love can’t be defined or put in a box, but must be experienced. That was absolutely true for Jo, especially when she met Jerome Gerald Seidl. Jo and Jerry met at a New Year's Eve Party on January 1, 1960. Five months later, Jerry moved to Illinois and then to Wisconsin. In September 1960, Jo visited Jerry in Wisconsin, and he asked, "Do you want to get a ring?".

She exchanged vows with Jerry on September 30, 1961. Her sister, Jamma Dickson, was the matron of honor. The best man was Jack Dickson, Jamma’s husband. Jo and Jerry were married in a wedding nuptial mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. The service was officiated by Father Jordan. The reception was at Rossilinis 4-10. Jo and Jerry went to San Francisco for their honeymoon.

She was totally committed to Jerry and maintained traditional ideals about marriage. It was as if Jo naturally sensed her spouse’s needs, and accepted those feelings unconditionally. A few friends of the couple included, Francis and Mary Loreth, Stan and Delores Myron, John and Helen Pompeo, Florence and Glen Zucati, and Lorraine and Reno Carosino.

Although she disliked conflict, she did not take flight from discord, but rather sought to preserve harmony even during the most trying times. This was important to her as she did her best to make where the family lived feel like home. Their first residence was at a rented house in Columbia City. Jo and Jerry purchased a house in 1962, and they lived in that housethe rest of her lives.

The family attended Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Also, Jerry and Jo were members of the White Center Eagles; Jo liked to dance.

Jo was a good mother. She had old-fashioned parental values and could handle typical family conflicts in a fair manner. She trusted emotions. In this way she seemed to radiate an aura of warmth and caring to those around her. Jo had three children, the twins born in 1962, Dyann and Brian, and in 1968, a son Michael was born. She would often find herself beaming with pride over some of the things her children accomplished. Brain and Michael had a paper route, and Dyann babysat.

Jo worked hard to give her children a warm and nurturing environment in which to grow up. Their house was very nice and had a large back yard. She managed to instill a sense of responsibility into her children by having them help take care of and raise Mai Tai, a dog. Mai Tai got lost one time and luckily someone brought her to the veterinarian.

Anyone who traveled or went on vacation with Jo experienced smooth sailing. She immensely enjoyed those vacations. Vacations included trips to Disneyland, Wisconsin to see grandparents, Yellowstone National Park, Hawaii, and Alaska.

Later on, she was also blessed with one grandson, Philip.

If you gave Jo a deadline, she would meet it. She worked as a file clerk at an insurance company. Probably the most unique or interesting job Jo ever held was being a mother and raising her children. Her primary occupation could be described as a homemaker, housewife and loving mother. In addition, she was considerate when it came to listening to what others had to say. She was often the mom who managed to put forth a win/win solution for everyone..

Jo liked to experience things first-hand, in addition to simply learning about them. This quality influenced her choice of leisure time. Jo enjoyed bowling, bingo, and going to the casinos; a few times, she bowled over 200. Also, she was content to sit quietly alone.

Jo enjoyed all kinds of things in her life. Jo loved watching the leaves change color in the fall, and she loved the warm sunshine. When it came to dining, her favorites included pasta, peanuts and diet Pepsi. Reading was a much-loved activity for Jo. She liked to read Star Magazine. Jo's favorite TV shows were "The Price Is Right", "Jeopardy”, “Wheel Of Fortune" and the "Amazing Race". She liked to listen to music by Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.

She also enjoyed watching the Seattle Mariners; if the team lost, she would be in a bad mood.

An individual who respected and maintained traditional values, her faith was important to Jo. Her compassion, consideration and sympathy toward others was an outgrowth of her personal beliefs. Jerry and Jo were faithful members of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church.

Jo Seidl left us on May 20, 2001. She passed away at Virginia Mason Hospital. She was 75 years old. The cause of death was diverticulitis, accompanied with a weak heart and kidneys. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Virginia. She is survived by her husband Jerry and three children, Dyann, Brian and Michael, and grandson, Philip. Jo was laid to rest at Gethsemane Catholic Cemetery in Federal Way, Washington.

Jo was a trustworthy, pragmatic and sympathetic person, the kind of woman to whom everyone was drawn. She was thorough and practical, and she was very literal with her words. She will be deeply missed.