Josephine Emmett Giangrosso

With a huge smile, Giacomino “Buddy” Giangrosso welcomed his beloved Josephine into heaven on the evening of May 19, 2014. She beamed at his humor, took his hand, and they danced together again after 27 years. The band played “Stranger in Paradise.”

Josephine Therese Emmett Giangrosso was born on April 10, 1935 on Dawson Street in Dallas in her family’s home at the back of their grocery story. She was soon joined by the most loving and devoted siblings anyone could ever want: Joe (Liz) Emmett, Catherine Vaughn, Teresa (Larry) Goldsmith, and Toni Marie (Sal) Interrante. When Josephine was 18 months old, the family moved to Oak Cliff, and she remained a very loyal and proud resident of Oak Cliff.

Jo attended Our Lady of Good Council girl’s school in a beautiful Victorian building that stood at the corner of Marsalis Avenue and Ninth Street. She was deeply grateful to the Sisters of St. Mary of Namur for the education she received. When her children Vincent and Gina were growing up, she spent many hours volunteering at their schools: Blessed Sacrament, St. Cecilia’s and Bishop Dunne High School.

At the urging of friends and family, Jo entered residential real estate sales in the 1980’s. It was very fitting that having made such a lovely home for her family, Jo then devoted herself to helping others own one. She was joined in the business by her daughter, Gina Giangrosso and they worked together at Jim Richardson & Assocs, Uptown Realtors, and David Griffin & Co. Jo was Past President of the Southwest Dallas County Women’s Council of Realtors.

In addition to her siblings and Gina, Josephine is survived by her loving son, Vincent Giangrosso; gold-star daughter-in-law, Karen Giangrosso; and amazing grandchildren, Stephen Giangrosso and Melissa Giangrosso. Also left to cherish her memory are her nieces and nephews and their families: John and Shelley Koeijmans; Nick and Barbara Koeijmans; Tony and Melonie Koeijmans; Debbie and Louie Curiel; Tony Emmett; Ray and Tamara Vaughn; Jim and Michella Vaughn; Don and Donia Gill; Anna Goldsmith; Laurel and Andy Hooper; Sindy Interrante; and Tony Interrante.

Recitation of the Rosary will be held at the North Chapel of Calvary Hill Cemetery on Friday May 23, 2014 at 9:30am, and will be immediately followed by a Mass of Christian burial and interment to be celebrated by Fr. Stephen Bierschenk. Honorary Pallbearers are Tony Interrante, Jim Vaughn, John Koeijmans, and Frank LaBarba, Jr.