Josephine Rose Messana

Josephine was born April 19, 1930 in Camden, New Jersey to Silvestro and Filomena DeFrancesco. She had two younger brothers, one of whom suffered from asthma, so her family moved to Arizona in the 1940’s, where Josephine attended North High School.

In 1950, while visiting relatives in Italy, Josephine met the love of her life, Stefano “Steve” Messana. Together they ran Steve’s Mexican Food in Central Phoenix for many years. Nothing brought Josephine more Joy than being surrounded by family and friends. She found many occasions to throw parties and loved dancing the Polka with Steve.

Her beautiful smile, her cooking, and her Italian zest for life will be sorely missed by her survivors, who include Steve, her loving husband of 63 years, daughters Rosemary Peterson and Josephine Alcazar, son Steve Messana Jr., brother Sam DeFrancesco, 13 grandchildren, and 28 great grandchildren. Josephine is preceded in death by her son Frank Messana, and her brother Horace.

Visitation and Rosary will be held on Wednesday, October 23, 2013 at 7 p.m. at A.L. Moore-Grimshaw, 710 W. Bethany Home Rd., Phoenix. Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, October 24, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Parish, 4715 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. Burial will follow at St. Francis Cemetery. Donations in Josephine’s memory can be made to Hospice of the Valley, Ryan House, 110 W. Merrell St., Phoenix, 85013.