DANVERS: Josephine M. "Josie" (Sincore) Morris passed peacefully surrounded by three generations of her family on Thursday, February 28, 2008. She was the wife of the late Phillip K. Morris with whom she shared 60 years of marriage before his death in 2006.
Born in Springfield, IL on January 1, 1916, she was the daughter of the late Orazio and Cresenzia (Luppino) Sincore. Her family settled in Homestead, Florida where she was educated at the St. Augustine School for the Deaf and Blind. As a student Josie enjoyed and excelled in archery, dance and basketball. While attending St. Augustine she proudly participated in a promotional photo shoot with silent film star Tom Mix. In her mid twenties she moved to Beverly and began her career as a seamstress in the textile and garment industry throughout the North Shore.
Josie enjoyed family camping trips and travel; taking countless trips to Florida and South Dakota to visit with family and friends. Deep in her heart she was always a Floridian. She was very active in organizing social activities and events for the deaf throughout Massachusetts. Josie had a passion for reaching out to help others. While residing at the Thompson House for the Deaf in Danvers, though well into her eighties, she spent much of her time as a volunteer providing assistance and companionship to the physically impaired residents of the New England Home for the Deaf.
Josie saw no obstacles in life. She would not allow her inability to hear effect her communicating and participating in the hearing world. Josie possessed a mesmerizing charm and ability to place all those around her at ease breaking down all communication barriers. Not one to shy away from a challenge, Josie – at the age of 57 – decided to take driving lessons, passed her driver's test, and drove for the following 20 years. She possessed an incredible zest for life along with a wonderful sense of humor. She thoroughly enjoyed sports, games (especially BINGO), a good joke and the company of good friends. Most of all Josie was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and aunt who will live on forever in the hearts of all those she has touched.
Josie is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Charles Walburn of Beverly, two sons and daughters-in-law, Allen and Eileen “Myriah” (Maguire) Morris of Wenham and Phillip and Diane (Roux) Morris of Beverly, six grandchildren, Karen (Walburn) and her husband, Jeff Corning of Ipswich, Lauren Walburn of Malden, Brandon and his wife, Aleisha Walburn of Tyngsboro, Heather and Taylor Morris of Beverly and Caitlin Morris of Manchester, NH, four great-grandchildren, Rachel and Sam Corning of Ipswich and Katie and Danielle Walburn of Tyngsboro and many nieces and nephews. She is also predeceased by her brothers, Sam, Roy, August(df) and Charlie Sincore and her sisters, Leonna Biondo(df), Ninfa Ballaro(df) and Mary Parisella.
Her funeral services will be held on Thursday at the New England Home for the Deaf, 154 Water Street, Danvers at 1:30 p.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in her memory to the New England Home for the Deaf, 154 Water St., Danvers, MA 01923.