Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano and his family have announced that the mayor’s mother, Josephine, has died at age 89. Mayor Spano released the following statement:
“Our beloved mother, Josephine Spano, went to be with the Lord this morning. She is the strongest woman I have ever known. She always made each of her 16 children feel loved, valued and cherished. We all just wanted to make her so proud.
“She inspired us. She educated us. She dedicated her life to us. For that, we are eternally grateful. She was the matriarch of our family, placing her foundation in faith. St. Gerard, the patron saint of childbirth, was whom she turned to for prayer. Notably, he said, ‘Who except God can give you peace?’ You are at peace now, Mom. What gives me comfort is you now are reunited with dad – forever our guardian angels. We will always strive to make you proud and keep you in our heart always.”
Josephine Spano was married to Leonard N. Spano for 66 years. She was the mother of Nicholas, John, MariaElena, Eleanore, Leonard, Joanne, Rosemarie, Camille, Michael, Victoria, Anthony, Dolores, Loretta, Gerard, Joseph, and Vincent.
According to biographical information, she was born on January 6, 1934, and grew up in Yonkers and attended Commerce High School. She had 42 grandchildren who meant the world to her: Christina, Lauretta, Lenny, Lenny, Steve, Glen, Joey, Victoria, Josephine, Anthony, Gerard, John, Tommy, Lenny, Dana, Tommy, Franky, Krysta, Johnny, Michelle, Evan, Nicole, Joey, Victoria, Nicholas, Michael, Vinny, Vincent Jr., Scotty, Michael Jr., Lisa, Carly, Alexandra, Angelina, Christopher, Ricky, Lenny, Anthony, Danielle, Lenny, Vincent, and Nico.
Her 28 great-grandchildren were her pride and joy: Kacey, TJ, Kylie, John, Joey, Gianna, Dominick, Michael, Mia, Trey, Brooklyn, Alyssa, Giovanni, Josephine, Joey, Ava, Vinny, Milania, Audrina, Maria, Jackson, Sienna, Lucas, Adrianna, Antonia, Christian, Santino, and Francesca.
When asked what they’ll remember most, her children said her gift of inner strength, her ability to carry a family through a crisis, and her hospitality in welcoming everyone into her home. Her gift of generosity began as a young mom when she served as the President of the PTA at Saint Peter’s School and Mount Carmel School, member of the St. Ann Society, head of the lunch program at Sacred Heart, supporter of special needs children, and a volunteer for many charitable causes.
Visitation will be at the Sinatra Funeral Home, 499 Yonkers Ave. in Yonkers on Dec. 7 and Dec. 8, both days from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. There will be funeral mass at St. Peter’s Church, 91 Ludlow St. in Yonkers, Dec. 9 at 9:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery on Jackson Avenue in Yonkers.
