Josephine Schifano

Josephine S Schifano, 97, of Fairfax, passed away peacefully of natural causes after a short illness on April 18th in Burke, Virginia. She was one of 5 children born to immigrant parents from Croatia. Josephine was born in Aliquippa, PA to Stella and Vincent Siktar on 9/14/1926. She graduated from Aliquippa High School. Immediately after high school graduation, she moved to Washington DC and took a job with the US Government where she retired as an Analyst. She was involved in animal rights and owned numerous pomeranians as they were her favorite dog breed. She received numerous accolades for her work and volunteered for the White House. Josephine will be remembered for her quick wit and kind heart. Josephine is preceded in death by her husband Joe Schifano and siblings Frank Siktar, Vincent Siktar, John Siktar, and Barbara Siktar. Josephine is survived by nephew Michael Siktar, wife Kelly, and Grand nephews Joshua and Samuel of Pittsburgh as well as niece Adele Siktar King of Florida and numerous other nieces and nephews. A memorial mass will be held at her beloved church, St Marys of Sorrows in Fairfax Station, Virginia on Monday, May 6th at 1 PM. Mass will be followed by a burial in the historic St Mary’s Cemetery. Arrangements are by Demaine funeral home of Springfield Virginia. Memorials may be given to St Jude’s Children’s research hospital. The family is thankful to her dear friends Clara and Raine Gilbert of Centreville, Virginia for friendship and guidance through the years. Our sincere thanks to her Crestmont neighbors and the city of Fairfax can best be described from Pittsburgh native Fred Rogers. “All we are ever asked to do is to treat our neighbor- especially our neighbor who is in need - exactly as we hope to be treated ourselves.”