Josephine Costa

Josephine “Josie” Costa passed away peacefully at the age of 92 with family by her side on March 30, 2024 in Reno, NV. Born on the island of Malta in 1931, Josephine was one of seven siblings. Her father, Carmelo Cordina, passed away when Josephine was just an infant. Her mother, Rosaria, raised her and her siblings as a single mother during the Great Depression and through World War II. Malta was a British Colony during WW II and the British offered emigration assistance to Maltese laborers to North America after the war. In November, 1952, Josephine emigrated to Detroit, Michigan with her older brother John, his wife, and their three children. There she was introduced to her husband, Charles Costa, also a Maltese immigrant. They were married in Detroit in 1954 and began their family of four children – Charles, Helen, Rose, and Elizabeth. Josephine did not read or write English very well, but was intent on becoming a United States citizen. She achieved citizenship in 1959. In 1961, Charles, Josephine, and four kids packed up their 1956 Chevy and moved out west to San Francisco, CA. Josephine was a stay-at-home mother for many years, but worked seasonally at See’s Candies in South San Francisco. In the mid-1960’s the family moved to Lodi, CA, where Charles and Josephine stayed until all the children graduated high school and left the nest. After a short return to the island of Malta, Charles and Josephine moved to Reno, NV in 1986. Josephine became single after 32 years of marriage and began living an independent life of her own. Josephine always wanted to go on a cruise and managed to go on seven cruises in different areas of the world including Alaska, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and South America. Josephine loved playing poker slot tournaments and won several at her favorite casino, the Atlantis. She worked at the Reno Hilton for many years as a Banquet Server. She had fond memories of serving President George H.W. Bush and remembered him as a very kind man. She also worked for many years serving food samples at Sam’s Club in Reno before finally retiring in 2018 at the age of 86. Upon retirement, Josephine moved to Carson City and lived with her daughter, Helen and her husband, Greg, along with her two dachshunds Ziggy & Roxie. Josephine could be seen walking her Ziggy until age 90.

Josephine was preceded in death by her six siblings – John Farrugia, Willie Cordina, Mary Cordina, Charles Farrugia, Louis Farrugia, and Rita Farrugia, and her granddaughter, Melissa Link. She was also preceded in death by her beloved dachshunds – Roxie and Ziggy.

Josephine is survived by her children- Charles Costa (Laura), Helen Costa (Greg Merkel), Rose Costa, and Elizabeth Link (Larry). She is survived by grandchildren – Alycia Lippman (Jordan), Nicolas Costa, Alex Costa, and Max Costa, and great granddaughters – Emma, Lily, Grace, and Jessa Lippman, who affectionately called her Nana Boo. Josephine, known as Auntie Guza, has numerous nieces and nephews in Michigan, California, Florida, Malta, and Australia. She was everyone’s favorite Auntie. She is also survived by her latest dachshund, Sissie, who brought her much joy in her final weeks

Her amazing life was celebrated at the Atlantis on April 9th and 10th by her family and friends. Share your memories of Josephine, Josie, Auntie Guza, Nana Boo, or Mama Water (she had many monikers) here.