Josephine M. “Jo” Brzozowski – (89) – of 63 Oak St., Hornell, died Saturday afternoon (March 30, 2013) at McAuley Manor, following a long illness.
Born in Hornell on January 2, 1924, she was the daughter of Francis & Mary (Grieco) Gallicchio.
Jo was a graduate of St. Ann’s School (class of 1938) and a graduate of Hornell High School (class of 1942).
She resided in Buffalo for about two years where she was employed at Western Electric Company. She returned to Hornell in 1949 and had been employed at the former Dolores Dress Factory for about 2 years and later at the former Heugets Corp. for 5 years.
Jo received her nurse’s aide license through St. James Hospital and continued working at the hospital for several years as a nurse’s aide. For 15 years, she was employed at the Federal Emergence Management Agency (FEMA) where she worked throughout the United States and Porto Rico.
She was an associate of the Sisters of Mercy and for many years served as a RSVP volunteer at St. James Hospital and also volunteered her time at the American Red Cross Blood Bank.
Jo was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and a communicant of St. Ann’s Church. She served as a Eucharist Minister at St. Ann’s Church, St. James Mercy Hospital and McAuley Manor. She was a member of the Ladies of Columbus; Catholic Daughters of America’ and the Italian American Woman’s Club. She enjoyed crocheting, sewing, cooking, baking, and in her younger years enjoyed roller skating and bowling.
She was married on April 10, 1948 to Raymond A. Brzozowski who died September 1, 2000. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Dominic Gallicchio (died 1968); 3 sisters, Antoinette Daniels (died 1992), Marian Brzozowski (died 1999) and Angela Palazzo (died 2012)
Surviving are 4 sons, Paul (Mary Beth) Brzozowski of Swampscott, MA, James Brzozowski of Parma, OH, Raymond (Debbie) Brzozowski of Altus, OK and Frank (Barb) Brzozowski of Hornell; 2 daughters, Theresa (Stephen) Bracken of Almond and Karen Jordan of Orchard Park; 11 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; several nieces & nephews.
The family of Josephine M. “Jo” Brzozowski will receive friends on Wednesday from 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM at the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday at 11:00 AM at St. Ann’s Church with burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Jo’s family request that memorial contributions in her name be made to St. Ann’s Church, 27 Erie Ave., Hornell, NY 14843 or to McAuley Manor Activities Fund, 1 Bethesda Dr., North Hornell, NY 14843. Memorial forms will be available at the Dagon Funeral Home.
Ray, Karen, Theresa and family:
I am sorry I cannot attend calling hours to pay my respects to your mom. She was a wonderful lady and always smiled! I remember her from Bluebirds, and then just as Ray and Karen’s mom… then when I was partnered with your Dad in Annie I was with her some more… and finally in the Italian-American Women’s Club. She was a good woman and I know your memories will serve to comfort you. I am sorry I won’t be able to see you, but know that I am thinking of you all.
WIth sympathy,
Marianne Racalto [Matacale]
My most sincere condolences to you on the loss of your mother. She was a great lady and I remember her well. May God bless her and may He grant you solace.
Joe
I will always remember your wonderful mother. Jim it has been many years since I used to visit her and see you at the rink. May God help you during this difficult time. Thinking you you and your family. My prayers are eith you.
Brzozowski Family-
My condolences on your loss. I have fond memories of visiting your parents with my father, Ray. He made a point of stopping by their house on Oak St whenever we were in Hornell. I couldn’t appreciate those visits at such a young age but I now understand how much they meant to him. She will be missed and you’re all in my thoughts and prayers.
I didn know your mom, but I am also a Mercy Associate. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
Jim, we are so sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. May God bless you all with wonderful memories to console you in the days, months, and years ahead. We love you and will be praying for you. May your mom rest in peace. Dottie, Michael, Lauren and Jonathon McBride
To the Brzozowki Family,
So sorry to hear of your loss of your Mom. She was a Great Lady, Friend, and Neighbor. We can always remember the times spent in our younger years at your home on Oak St. and Our old neighborhood.
Please be assured she is with her loved ones watching over all of you.
Thoughts and Prayers to you all,
The Drumm Family,
Dick, Steve, Tom, and Deb and Families
Dear Paul,
My deepest sympathy to you/family. I can see the resemblance. After reading about your mother, I know she was a beautiful person inside and out. I am certain you will have many wonderful memories to comfort you. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sincerely,
Jean Beando
Please accept my sincere sympathy on the death of your mother. She was a wonderful, caring and warm person who generously gave of herself to others. Jo was a faithful Associate of the Sisters of Mercy and truly lived out a life of mercy and compassion. I will miss her presence at our gatherings.
Sincerely,
Sister Nancy Whitley
Lillian and I are sorry we couldn’t make the trip up, but we send our love and prayers with Dan. We’ll be thinking of Josephine and all of you and keeping you in our hearts.
Love,
Amanda and Lillian Brzozowski
Karen and family,
So sorry for the loss of your mother. When I visited in Hornell her hospitality was tremendous, and I will always remember her smiling face and her great cooking.
Debby Johnson
Buffalo N.Y.
To my cousins.
I was so sorry to hear of your dear mother’s passing. I will always remember her from my childhood days as my sweet, loving, laughing, and beautiful Aunt. Her extraordinary giving spirit will live on forever in you and the many others whose lives she’s touched. May God bless and comfort you.
Sincerely,
Gerri Gapinski
She was and still is one of our best neighbors that anyone can ask for. We are sorry to hear of her passing. Rosie and I extend our sorrow to all her family and friends.