Josephine R. (Matreselva) Yozwiak

Josephine R. Yozwiak, 98 of Wyoming, the Matriarch of the Matreselva family passed away peacefully into eternal life on Wednesday morning, June 22, 2022.

Born in Barnesboro, PA on September 18, 1923, she was the daughter of the late Leonard and Catherine Ciraolo Matreselva.

Josephine was a graduate of Wyoming High School and prior to her retirement, worked in the local garment industry. She served as Judge of Election for the First Ward, Wyoming for many years. She also served on the Wyoming Area School Board from 1982-84, finishing her husband, Joseph T. Yozwiak’s term after his passing. She was a lifelong member of St. Anthony of Padua Church at St. Barbara’s Parish, Exeter, and a member of their Golden Age Club. She was a member of the Big Band Society and the Dupont VFW, where she loved to dance. She was a client of the Blind Association (Northeast Sight Services), Exeter. Josephine was an avid sports fan, especially enjoying ice hockey and basketball. She loved attending all her grandchildren’s games and sports, cheering them on. She loved to tell the story about her gold basketball necklace that she received as high scorer at Wyoming High School. Music, singing, and dancing were her passions. She enjoyed listening to Big Band music, watching musicals, Lawrence Welk, and old movies. She liked to talk politics, play cards, tend to her plants, and do word search puzzles. Josephine was proud of her Italian heritage. She would tell her stories, using her unique Sicilian dialect and phrases, and make tasty Italian specialties. She was spunky and feisty and was always right.

She lived for family gatherings and frequent visitors, including furry friends Calder, Pepe, Lucy, Zapp and Maine. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Joseph T. in 1982, son Joseph P. in 2016, and brothers Joseph (Muggsy), Anthony (Tony), and Peter Matreselva.

Surviving are her daughter Cathy and husband Tom Maheady, Wyoming. She was Grammy to grandchildren, Sarah (Justin Le) Maheady, Joseph (Brianne) Maheady, and great grandchildren Joshua and Nathan Maheady. Also surviving are sister Mary Jean and husband Gene Taddei, Claymont, Delaware and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Dr. Gerald Gibbons, Larraine Shemo (home health aide), Michelle Luchetti, (care sitter), nieces and friends who assisted in her care. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family on Tuesday from 5-7pm at the Gubbiotti Funeral Home, LLC, 1030 Wyoming Ave., Exeter.

Funeral will be at 9:00am Wednesday from the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 9:30am at St. Barbara Parish in St. Anthony of Padua Church, 224 Memorial St., Exeter. Monsignor John Sempa, pastor will be celebrant. Interment will be in Mount Olivet Roman Catholic Cemetery, Wyoming.

Memorial contributions in Josephine’s name may be made to Social Concerns of St. Barbara’s Parish, 224 Memorial St., Exeter; Social Concerns of Corpus Christi Parish, 605 Luzerne Ave. West Pittston; Northeast Sight Services, 1825 Wyoming Ave. Exeter.

To send the family an expression of sympathy or an online condolence, please visit www.gubbiottifh.com

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