STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Josephine Gianattasio, 88, of Great Kills, a homemaker and retired secretary who was proud of her Italian heritage, died Monday in Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze.
Born in Brooklyn Josephine Mazzella, she was brought to Rosebank as a child. She moved to Port Richmond in 1955 and settled in Great Kills in 1959.
Mrs. Gianattasio studied fashion history at McKee High School and was an accomplished seamstress.
As a foster mother, she cared for 24 New York Foundling Hospital infants from 1963 to 1970. Later, she worked as a secretary for a Manhattan insurance firm. She retired in 1992 after 10 years.
In her leisure time, Mrs. Gianattasio enjoyed cooking and baking, crocheting and knitting. She was active in Girl Scouts and in the St. Helena’s Guild at St. Patrick’s School, Richmond. She belonged to the Mount Loretto Friendship Club in Pleasant Plains.
Mrs. Gianattasio was a parishioner of St. Patrick’s R.C. Church, Richmond, for many years.
Her daughter, Michele, recalled, “My mother was very proud of her Italian heritage and very proud of her family’s accomplishments.”
Her husband of 37 years, Michael, died in 1991.
In addition to her daughter, Michele, she is survived by another daughter, Joann Vincze, and a grandson.
The funeral will be Thursday from Casey-McCallum-Rice South Shore Funeral Home, with a mass at 11 a.m. in St. Clare’s R.C. Church, both in Great Kills. Arrangements include cremation.
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