Josephine (Gemellaro) Andriolo

Waltham - Josephine Andriolo's life was centered on her faith and family. And they remained with her when she died in the comfort of her home on Friday, January 12, 2018. She was 73.

Giuseppina "Pina" Gemellaro, known to family and friends as Josephine, was born in Pezzolo, Sicily, Italy on October 2, 1944. She was the daughter of Antonino Gemellaro and Caterina Carbone and sister to Santino Gemellaro who is married to Graziella Gullifa. Santino and Graziella have two children, Tonino and Giuseppe. Last year in June, Tonino and his wife Emanuela welcomed their daughter Valeria. Josephine loved seeing Valeria over Facetime and would have loved to meet her.

Josephine loved her hometown of Pezzolo and everyone there. She was very involved in her church which she loved. Josephine was a religious education teacher and singer at her church, St. Nicolo di Bari in Pezzolo. She spent a lot of time there with her family and friends. She had a wonderful voice and loved singing.

On October 14, 1970 Josephine married Gianni Andriolo and was very happy to join the Andriolo family. She loved spending time with her brother-in-laws and sisters-in-laws, Giuseppe and Lavinia, Letterio and Maria, Anthony and Grace, and Giuseppina and Pietro. Josephine had many nieces and nephews who she loved dearly.

Josephine moved to Belmont, Massachusetts on February 18, 1971. Her daughter, Anna, was born on December 2, 1971 and son Michael, born on May 22, 1975. Josephine and Gianni and their children had many fun trips to the beach where they would have picnics with family and friends. Many summers they spent traveling to Italy and enjoyed visiting with their family there. In 1984, Josephine and Gianni moved their family to Waltham, Massachusetts. They have happily lived in Waltham ever since. Josephine loved cooking at home and taking care of her house. It brought her much happiness and she was very proud of her home.

Josephine's daughter Anna married her husband, Neil Pouliot, on June 20, 1998. They have two children, Jeremy, who was born on June 10, 1999 and Danielle, who was born on April 3, 2002. Josephine loved spending time with her grandchildren and was such a proud and loving Nonna to them. They always had fun cooking together. Josephine enjoyed having her grandchildren with her over their school vacations and during the summer. Josephine loved seeing her son Michael become a proud uncle to Jeremy and Danielle.

In 2013, Josephine was so happy to have her son Michael welcome his partner Sandra Swisher and her wonderful children, Justin and Alexandra to the family. They brought much joy to her. She enjoyed spending time with the children and giving Sandra Italian cooking lessons.

Josephine loved spending time with family and going to dinner-dance parties with family and friends. She would travel to Italy every few years to visit her family and her husband's family. She loved visiting Italy and her hometown of Pezzolo. She was very happy to have many of her relatives come to the United States to visit. Josephine loved having family over for big meals. Her cooking was fabulous. A very important night for Josephine every year was Christmas Eve. Josephine hosted the most amazing Italian Christmas Eve dinners. Her baked, stuffed lobster and ricotta cupcakes were a favorite to everyone.

Josephine was very thankful for the wonderful care provided by her physicians, Dr. Trevor Kaye and Dr. Susan Cowley, from everyone at the Mount Auburn Hospital Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center and from all of the nurses and aides and Mount Auburn Hospital during her stay there. Josephine was so happy to be able to enjoy the holidays at home with her family. She was appreciative of the great care provided to her at home by her hospice nurse Maggie. Josephine was able to enjoy her beautiful home and her family during her final weeks.

Josephine will be remembered for her generosity towards family and friends and for her one of a kind personality. She always made people laugh. She always put others first. Josephine was known for generosity and for looking out for her family and friends. She will be missed by all who were lucky enough to be part of her life.

Family and friends will honor and remember Josephine's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Monday, January 15th from 4 to 8 p.m. and again at 10 a.m. on Tuesday morning before leaving in procession to The Church of Saint Luke, 132 Lexington Street, Belmont, where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in Saint Patrick's Cemetery, Watertown.