GLOUCESTER –Josephine M. (Susanno) Testaverde, 92, passed away Saturday evening, January 10, 2015, with her family by her side. She was the wife of the late Salvatore J. “Sam” Testaverde, who died in January of 2001. They had shared 57 years of marriage.
Born in Gloucester on November 10, 1922, she was the daughter of the late Lorenzo and Vincenza (Nicastro) Susanno. She was a lifelong resident and a graduate of the Gloucester High School class of 1941.
She was devoted to her faith and was a longtime member of the Madonna del Rosario Society. She opened her doors to family and friends as she hosted the St. Joseph Novena in her home for over sixty years.
Josie enjoyed playing cards and word games and was the “Queen of Yahtzee.” She enjoyed traveling to various locations such as Florida, Hawaii, Bermuda, the Bahamas and Mexico. In 2004 she took a family pilgrimage to Italy and was thrilled to be personally blessed by Pope John Paul.
Her greatest joy came from spending time with her family. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
She is survived by four daughters, Bunny Doucet, Sandra, wife of James Walen, Susan, wife of Richard Barche and Gail Testaverde Muise, fiancée of Bob Roland all of Gloucester; her son, Salvatore J., Jr. husband of Lisa (Gianakakis) Testaverde of Ipswich; fourteen grandchildren, Joanne, wife of Gary Penney, Sharon, wife of Doug Herald, Shawna, wife of Scott Sanborn, Michael, husband of Angela Sapochetti, Shelly, wife of Tory Ciolino, Stacey Terry, Dennis, husband of Zan McElhiney, Deana Morin, Cheryl, wife of Paul Wilkinson, Kevin, husband of Krystle Muise, Christine, wife of Thomas D’Ovidio, Jimmy, husband of Amanda Doucet, Salvatore J., III, husband of Meredith Testaverde and Lauren Muise; two step-grandchildren, Michael Herald and Michael Dougherty; twenty-seven great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren, who were her pride and joy. She is also survived by two sisters, Phyllis Reardon of Gloucester and Mary Beaster of Wisconsin, and two brothers-in-law, Anthony, husband of Jeanne Testaverde and Antonio DaCruz all of Gloucester and many nieces and nephews. She was also predeceased by four sisters, Jennie Testaverde, Grace Lafond, Ida Onori and Vincie MacDonald, three brothers, Leo, Joseph and Larry Susanno and a granddaughter, Kelly Muise.
Her funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday morning in the Holy Family Parish, St. Ann Church at 11 a.m. Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday in the Pike-Grondin Funeral Home, 61 Middle Street, Gloucester from 2 – 4 and 6 – 8 p.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in her memory to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701. Interment will be held in the Calvary Cemetery.