Josephine Janemarie Rappolo

Josephine Janemarie Roppolo, age 89, passed away peacefully on April 22, 2025, in Wylie Texas. She was born in Cefalu, Sicily on August 13, 1935. Josephine was forty days old when her parents, Sam and Angie Gussio, immigrated to America and started their lives in Chicago. After her brother Sandy was born, they relocated to Dallas, Texas.

Growing up in Dallas, Josephine attended a dance given for Catholic single men and women. That is where she met her beloved Tom Roppolo. She and Tom were married forty-one years, until his passing in 2001. The couple did not have children of their own, but shared a common heritage filled with traditions of family gatherings, celebrating holidays, and preparing great Italian food. Josephine worked alongside her husband in their grocery store, and her life was woven within the Roppolo family, where she gained a brother-in-law, three sister-in-laws, and many nieces and nephews. Josephine and Tom were Godparents to Joseph Beskangy and Domenica “DeDe” Roppolo. To the rest of us, she was our beloved Aunt Jo.

Aunt Jo remembered every person's birthday, sending cards to her new family members and their spouses. For the children, she not only mailed out cards, but also included gifts. These cards with gifts were also sent for Easter, Thanksgiving, and Valentine's Day.

The love Aunt Jo gave was shown in her actions of cooking, baking, and sharing family recipes. She was a generous person to the poor and the needy, and she always brought large amounts of food during the holidays. We all looked forward to her pizza and homemade cookies during Christmas, and the cannolis she made at Easter. If Aunt Jo knew you were coming to visit her, she would bake your favorite dessert.

Aunt Jo was a religious and spiritual person. She prayed for everyone, especially for anyone who was struggling. Aunt Jo had a deep devotion to Mother Mary and prayed her rosary two or three times a day when her heart was troubled for someone. She was involved in various church organizations and was an integral part of a group that served the Feast of St. Joseph.

She was a responsible person and a lady who fulfilled commitments. Aunt Jo worked for Blue Cross Blue Shield for twenty-five years, and beyond her retirement age, to provide needed health insurance for Tom and herself. She cared for her elderly mother for many years until she passed. When she was in her early 80’s, she oversaw the care of her Uncle Charlie, who lived to be 103.

Aunt Jo was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Sandy, her husband Tom, and many other loving relatives. She is survived by her cousins Angie and Bonnie, and her Aunt Margaret. She is survived by her in-laws: Elaine Mitchell and husband Vic, & their daughter Andrea, Joseph Beskangy and wife Ana, & their daughter Camila, Vince Beskangy and wife Nancy, Minnie Kennedy and husband Dan, & and their children, Tamara and Ryan, and many other loved family members.

Aunt Jo, may you rest in peace and joy, with your Lord and all your loved ones. Private Interment at Calvary Hill Cemetery, 3235 Lombardy Ln, Dallas, TX 75220