DELLA PENNA Josephine “Josie” M. (Petrella) Longtime resident of Roslindale, formerly of Boston’s West End passed away on March 15, 2019. Beloved wife of the late Frank T. Della Penna (BPD Ret). Devoted mother of Mary Cooney and her husband Tom of South Boston, Annette McCarthy and her husband Gene of Norfolk, Tricia Della Penna of Norwood and Bill Raschi of Springfield, and Theresa DeMarco and her husband Tony of West Roxbury.
She is survived by her grandchildren who were her “pride and joy”; Gus and Tim Cooney, Daniel, Matthew, and Jenna McCarthy, Gina Parent, Christina Raschi, Olivia, Lana and the late Mia and Danielle DeMarco.
Sister of Mary Curro of Waltham, Gay Kawalski of Medford, and the late Joe, Yano, Sammy, Dom, and Antoinette Petrella. Also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours at the P.E. Murray - F.J. Higgins, George F. Doherty 2000 Centre St. West Roxbury on Tuesday, March 19th from 4-7pm. Funeral from the funeral home on Wednesday, March 20th at 10:30am, followed by a Funeral Mass at Holy Name Church West Roxbury at 11:30am. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Interment Gardens Cemetery, West Roxbury.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Josie’s memory to Valley of the Angels School in Guatemala, P.O. Box 522505 Miami, FL 33152. led by Fr. Michael Della Penna.
The Della Penna family would like to thank Nancy Amoah from Commonwealth Caregivers for her compassionate care. For directions and guestbook pemurrayfuneral.com.
The following are the words of remembrance delivered by Mary Cooney (daughter) at Josephine's Funeral Mass at Holy Name Church.
Our family is grateful to have you all here.
Cousin Michael your journey from Guatemala to be with us is legendary. We love you We are comforted also that you spent time reminiscing and praying with her, the week before she died when you were here for Auntie Jackie your mom’s funeral.
We remember today too Auntie Mary and are thinking of our Curro cousins . We will all gather together with you soon.
Before she was Josie Della Penna she was Josie Petrella.
She had always shared lots of stories with us about her early life in her beloved West End with her parents and siblings Joe,, Mary, Yano, Sammy, Gay and Dom.
Their house was filled with love, camaraderie, good food and humor and that got them through good times and tough times.
Those life experiences guided her as she and dad built their Della Penna home life that treasured family above all else with good humor inherited from both sides of the family always finding its place . All the while raising 4 daughters, they had to deal with dad’s injury and disability. She was a devoted wife and caregiver for 60 years, a valuable lesson for us all that we carry with us to this day.
Mum was a skilled scrabble player, an occasional living room jitterbug instructor and like all Petrellas a great cook. It’s hard to replicate some of her dishes that she cooked by heart and even her roasted peppers and potato and eggs always tasted better.
You always knew where you stood with her by the look on her face. No words necessary
But her grandchildren only brought smiles. They were our best gift to her.
She called them her pride and joy. Their photos on the mantle she called her shrine.
Dan remembers her unconditional love and support and how she made him feel that he could do anything. She always seemed so proud of any accomplishment.
Matt said Nana never let you leave the house empty handed..whether it was cookies…soda and even one time a new sponge.
Jenna remembers how much Nana loved her piano playing. She also would get so excited looking at her travel photos and always made sure to tell her to be safe.
Gus remembers celebrating St Patricks parade days in Southie with Nana and Grandma together always enjoying a good time especially when his friends stopped by.
Tim has fun memories of taking her gambling at Plainridge Casino and her joking about the free coffee they offered that really cost her the $300 she lost on the slots.
Gina remembers summer swan boat rides and how Nana made her first granddaughter feel like a queen.
Christina said she made the best meatballs and stuffed artichokes. We all would agree
Olivia is so happy that she spent every Halloween on Tyndale St with Nana.
Lana loved to surprise Nana with a visit just to see the look on her face when she peaked out the door.
She was always happiest to spend time with all of you and when you brought your partners, Erica, Katy, Mike, Alanna and Amal, it only made her happier because she saw you were happy.
She never looked more beautiful than last year when she joyfully put on her dancing shoes and party clothes to celebrate Dan and Katy and Gina and Mike’s weddings. Her smiles were the brightest we had ever seen.
Ma’s friends were mostly neighbors close to home and Dottie and Corrine- in law moms. She used to joke that they were outlaws not inlaws as they happily shopped and ate their way across Boston.
So often during our lives if you mentioned Josie you would say Gay in the same sentence.
You were so much more than sisters, Auntie Gay, you even chose 2 guys who were best friends for your husbands. Life long friendship times 4 was an amazing achievement.
You have been her telephone lifeline for as long as we all can remember. That is forever special.
Tyndale st was her home for 53 years and if you walked through the door you were always treated as family.
She opened her heart and home last month for Nancy, her compassionate caregiver who Josie called “my friend” and lived with her until the end. We are forever grateful for your care.
She told Nancy that her daughters “all worked good together”. Josie appreciated everything we were doing for her.
If one joy really could scatter 100 sorrows then it was all ok because it was the little things that brought her joy ,
a quick visit from any one of us in the family, an americano at Starbucks, lunch at bertuccis, or the Chateau ,a hamburger at Sullivans, American idol, or just a phone call from one of her daughters or sisters.
Josie Della Penna was a strong, generous, witty and passionate mom and mother in law, devoted wife, loving grandmother, and aunt, loyal sister and steadfast friend. You were loved and appreciated and will forever be in our hearts. And yes ma you did look good for 86!
Rest in Peace