On Friday, September 25, 2026, Josephine P. Menta, nee Martini, known lovingly to her family as “Jo”, “Pheeny” and “Mima”, was called home to the Lord surrounded by her family. She was the beloved wife of 40 years to the late Russell C. Menta; loving mother of Lisa M. Benson (Matt), Leticia M. Armstrong (William) and the late Russell P. Menta; cherished Mima of Heather Nelson (Tom), Erin Norton (Michael), Joanne Manzo, Allison O’Brien (Adam), Russell Armstrong (Kaitlyn), William Armstrong (Colleen), Kelly Kiddy (Trevor) and Christina Armstrong; Great-Mima of Teddy, Benny, Josie, J.J. “Joseph James”, Jack, Sophie, Brooks, Wellen, Simms, Jane, Auggie, Faye and Orson; dear sister of Michael Martini and his late wife Joan; sister-in-law of the late Frank and Roberta Menta; Josephine is also survived by her many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Jo was born in Passaic, New Jersey, on New Years Eve in 1930 to Nancy and Phillip Martini. She graduated from Payne Hall in New York and began her career in healthcare as a candy striper, eventually becoming a school nurse. She met the love of her life, Russell C. Menta, and the two married, and quickly began building a family together in Clifton, New Jersey. After 15 years, the family relocated to Baltimore, where Jo and Russell built the next chapter of their life together with their three children. She devoted herself to her family as a homemaker, a role that brought her great joy. She poured herself into her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, never missing a celebration, recital or championship game, and found tremendous happiness in watching each generation grow.
Her home was always a place of warmth, laughter, and welcome, and no one ever left her table hungry. Jo loved a good card game, took great pride in her green thumb, and never needed an excuse to put on a fancy outfit. Affectionately known as the queen of her family, she had a particular fondness for jewelry, pretty things, and her pink lipstick. She enjoyed the many trips she shared with her husband Russell and looked forward to spending the winter months at their vacation home in Jupiter, Florida each year. Jo was an active and devoted member of St. Joseph Parish in Cockeysville, where she volunteered her time counting money and never missed a Sunday mass.
Her family cherished the time they had with her and takes great comfort in the extraordinary fabric of love, joy and togetherness that is Josephine’s legacy.
The family will receive friends at the Lemmon Funeral Home of Dulaney Valley, 10 W. Padonia Road (at York Road), Timonium, MD 21093 on Thursday, October 1, 2026, from 4pm to 7pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph Parish, 100 Church Lane, Cockeysville, MD, 21030 on Friday, October 2, 2026, at 10am and online at https://www.youtube.com/live/V2fNakmUpuo. Interment to follow at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens, 200 E. Padonia Rd, Timonium MD 21093.
In lieu of flowers the family has asked that donations be made in Josephine’s honor to St. Joseph Parish of Cockeysville, Alzheimer’s Association, or Gilchrist Hospice.
