Josephine DeGaetano was born on January 26th, 1935 in the Belmont section of the Bronx to Italian immigrants, Mary and Joseph Bounadonna of Naples, Italy. Josephine was the second of five children. Josephine, known as Joni to close friends and family, worked for the Bell Telephone company, now known as Verizon, as a young woman. She later married the love of her life, Demitrio (Mimi) DeGaetano, on April 17th, 1955. They would be married 62 years this month. Joni worked until retirement at Jacobi Medical Center in the billing department.
Anyone who knew Joni, knows that she was a connoisseur of high fashion and aesthetics. She loved to have her hair done, makeup and nails painted everyday. Joni wore makeup everyday and kept herself looking sharp even to take a trip to the grocery store. Joni could be found at her local hair salon every week getting a new hair do. As Mimi used to say, “Every week, Joni. Every week!” Joni had a youthful appearance even into her elder years and left people stunned. Everyone who met Joni was shocked by her true age and always noted how young and healthy she always looked. She lit up a room with not only her looks and smile, but with her beautiful personality.
Joni was a friend to all she met. Her warm, friendly and kind embrace captured all those around her. She was a great friend to many and a loving, devoted and caring mother, wife, grandmother, sister and aunt. Family was everything to Joni, and family came first. It brought her great joy to have her family gathered around the dinner table together eating the wonderful food she cooked, happy, laughing and sharing good stories. Her home and kitchen were always opened to family, friends and neighbors alike. Joni loved to cook, and she was a great cook at that! Joni was always trying new recipes for her dinner table.
Josephine passed away at the age of 82 peacefully in her home in the Bronx on the morning of April 11, 2017.
Her children, grandchildren and husband were her life. She will truly be missed not only by close friends and family, but those who were honored to have been touched by Joni’s warm presence.
She joins her mother and father, Mary and Joseph Bounadonna, younger sister Sally Moran, mother and father-in-law, Caterina (Katie) and Natale DeGaetano, sister-in-law Angie Penso, sister-in-law Edith DeGaetano, brother-in-law Dominic DeGaetano, nephews Robert and Noel DeGaetano and aunt Matilda Guardino in the house of the Lord.
Josephine is survived by her husband Demitrio DeGaetano of the Bronx, sister Camielle Ianucci of the Bronx, Joseph (Jr.) Bounadonna of the Bronx, sister-in-law Nellie Bounadonna of the Bronx, sister-in-law Elaine Bounadonna and brother Anthony Bounadonna of Putnam County, NY, three children, Philip DeGaetano of NY, Debra DeGaetano of NY and Richard DeGaetano of Dutchess County, NY, daughter-in-law Natalie DeGaetano of Dutchess County, NY, grandchildren Sophia DeGaetano of New Jersey, Caterina DeGaetano of Dutchess County, NY, Nicholas Nigro of Queens and Frankie Malara of the Bronx, great-granddaughter Elena Nigro and a great-granddaughter to be, as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements under the direction of John Dormi & Sons, Bronx, NY.
SHARE OBITUARYSHARE
v.1.17.0