Josephine C. Tonucci's Obituary
Josephine C. Tonucci of Mount Laurel, NJ, passed away peacefully on January 12, 2024. She was born on May 10, 1927 in East Hartford, CT to the Elvira (Santi) and Giuseppi Colangelo.
Josephine (Jo) grew up on her mother’s family farm in East Hartford, CT, moved to Bridgeport, CT at age 10 and then at age 13, her family purchased a 3 family home in Hartford, CT. She graduated from Weaver High School in 1945. Quoted beside her high school picture was “Jo….quiet, neat, and intelligent. Goes for sports in a big way. Handy with a needle and thread. Plans to work for a while and then settle down! Loved everything about Weaver” Jo married the love of her life, the late Romolo Tonucci, on June 28, 1947. They had 2 daughters, Joanne and Linda, and then moved to Wethersfield, CT in 1958, buying a home next door to Jo’s parents.
Jo was employed at Traveler’s Insurance Company all of her work life, beginning as a typist and was promoted to the Purchasing Department and later to the Personnel Department due to her natural business acuity, organizational skills, and work ethic. Eventually she was offered a position in the Travelers’s law library, which required her to take Library Science courses at Manchester Community College. She managed the department for Information of Legal Services until she retired in 1987. She was also an active member of the Travelers Women’s Club.
Jo always enjoyed doing creative projects in her spare time. She excelled at ceramics, embroidery, crewel, knitting, crocheting, and ceramic doll-making. Her most amazing gift was keeping records and photos of her family’s activities, special events, accomplishments, and celebrations. Her love of family was her pride and joy and she cherished the details of each member’s journey through life. As a result, her family has documented memories to enjoy!
Retirement brought Jo and Rom the freedom to become snowbirds, going to their home in Delray Beach, Florida for the late fall and winter months. There they made many new friends, enjoyed the social scene, the weather, golf, and dining out. At times they entertained visits by siblings and family members, especially their children and grandchildren who enjoyed swimming with Nana in the pool, going to local fun spots, and playing great games of cards in the evening. When back at home in CT, she and Rom made many visits to NH and NJ to visit her kids and grandkids, who adored them.
In 1996, Jo and Rom moved to Hampstead, NH to be near their daughter, Linda, and grandkids. There they made wonderful lifelong friends and also spent time with family at Ossipee Lake, NH. Nine years later they moved to Mount Laurel, NJ to be near their daughter, Joanne, and her family. Jo became a devoted and uncomplaining caretaker to Rom when he became seriously ill and passed away in 2011. At a friend’s recommendation, she joined a grief group where she made many new women friends and began enjoying Senior events and trips, monthly dinners, and afternoon card games.
At the age of 91, Jo was unable to live independently anymore, so she moved into Joanne’s home and they became the “Golden Girls”. They spent many hours, especially during COVID, making puzzles, binging television series, and experimenting with cooking. Two years later, it became too difficult for Jo to be taken care of at home, so she moved to Arbor Terrace, an assisted living residence. There she participated in activities and made many friends with the residents and staff, who tagged her as one of their favorites. Linda visited often from NH and the grandchildren traveled near and far to see her when they could. Living close by, Joanne was a devoted daughter making weekly visits to offer care, and being present with her on her final days. Jo often said, “I don’t know what I would have done without her!”
Jo was pre-deceased by her parents, Elvira and Giuseppi Colangelo, her brothers and their wives, Carmine and Margaret Colangelo, Ed and Jean Colangelo, brother’s in-law and their wives, Julio and Ann Tonucci, Angelo and Lillian Tonucci, Egidio and Grace Tonucci, Noel and Alice Tonucci, and grandson, Andrew Borden.
She’s survived by her sister, Ellen Paris and husband William; daughters, Joanne Borden and ex-son-in-law Paul Borden, Linda Ryan and partner Steve Watson; grandchildren and their spouses, Marisa and Eric Rickenbach, Daniel and Sarah Ryan, Michael and Jeanette Borden, Kayla and Alexandria Nunn; great grandchildren, Quinn and Reese Rickenbach, Beck and Rose Borden, Isla and Grafton Ryan, and Milo Nunn.
Relatives and friends are invited to gather at a memorial service held on Saturday, April 13, 2024 at the Church of the Incarnation, 544 Prospect Street, Wethersfield, CT. The service will begin at 10 AM followed by a Celebration of Life at Casa Mia on the Green restaurant, 600 Cold Spring Road, Rocky Hill, CT.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Josephine’s memory to the American Heart Association, online at www.heart.org. To mail in a donation, download a Tribute Donation Form available on their website.
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