Giuseppina "Josephine" Marandola

Giuseppina “Josephine” (Tella) Marandola, 82 of Hawkins Street, Providence, passed away peacefully surrounded by the people she loved on April 28, 2023. She was the proud wife of the late Luigi Marandola. She was the daughter of the late Nicola and Maria (Falco) Tella.

Josephine was born in a small town in the Campania region of Italy, whom she proudly represented and known as Capriati a Volturno, with a population of only 1500 people. She met the love her life in the late 1960’s, got married and then embarked on a Journey to the United States to pursue a better life with her husband. Josephine settled in the North End of Providence, a neighborhood, where many strong-willed Italians immigrated to start their new lives and help build America.

Josephine was a Powerhouse. She would refer to herself, in Italian, as the “Queen of Charles Street” or the “Boss of Eagle Park.” Josephine was a loving wife, a caring mother and a loyal friend. Josephine expressed love and devotion through her cooking and serving her family and many friends with her exceptional dishes. She loved spending time tending her precious garden, enjoyed talking over espresso and sharing pastry with her favorite friends. Josephine was a founding member of an exclusive club of Italian Mothers who were all beautiful, strong-minded woman and who were all leaders in their own families. This exclusive club sought the advice of Josephine - as she was the “go to” person on how to handle life’s many difficult challenges. A club of woman whom all shared the same principles Josephine shared, like family unity, preserving Italian traditions and enjoying the things of what life naturally offers. Josephine was the true definition of Resilience.

Josephine worked for the State of Rhode Island for many years before retiring in 2003, from Rhode Island College and later from the R.I. Superior Court House.

She was the mother of Louis “Gigi” Marandola and the Late Vincenzo “Enzo” Marandola. She cherished Enzo and dedicated her life to him as his caretaker for decades. She was the sister of Rosa Carillo of Torino, Italy and the late Mariano Tella of Johnston, RI.

She leaves behind many nephews, nieces, cousins and friends in Italy and in America. She adored her nephew “Nicky,” loved and enjoyed making her numerous daily phone calls to all her friends, relatives in Italy and especially to her favorite, unofficial daughter, cousin, Iuna Tasca. Josephine was proud of her Italian heritage and was a devoted Catholic. Josephine was simply Awesome and a Champion. She will be missed but never forgotten.

Visitation will be held Wednesday from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM in the PONTARELLI-MARINO FUNERAL HOME, 971 Branch Avenue, Providence.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday at 11:30 AM in St. Ann Church, 280 Hawkins Street, Providence. Burial will be private.