Mrs. Josephine Rose (Vasapolli) LaVerde, formerly of Andover and Medford entered into eternal rest on January 4, 2023. She was 97 years old. Devoted wife of the late William H. Briggs and Gaetano LaVerde.
Beloved Mother of Stephen Briggs and his wife Mary of New Castle, NH and William Briggs and his wife AnnaMarie of Methuen, MA. Cherished Grandmother of Kristen and her husband Jeremy of Groveland, MA, Matthew and his wife Katherine of Wakefield, MA and Michael Briggs of Methuen, MA. Beloved Great-Grandmother of Brendan, Owen, Emma, Cecily and Ethan and many nieces and nephews.
Born in East Boston on June 20, 1925 to Vincenzo and Fillippa (Zappulla) Vasapolli, she was one of seven children, herself, a younger sister and five brothers. Josephine is survived by her brothers Sebastian (Ben) Vasapolli and his wife Nina of Naples, Fla, Vincent (Jim) Vasapolli and his wife Marie of Sanford, Maine and her sister Concetta (Connie) Agnone and her late husband Robert of Medford, MA, and sister-in-law Lorraine Vasapolli of California. Josephine was predeceased by her brothers John and his wife Joan Vasapolli, Joseph and his wife Suk Hyun Vasapolli and Alfred Vasapolli.
Josephine attended the Joseph H. Barnes School in East Boston and the Trade High School for Girls Boston, where she completed a course as a seamstress. Josephine was employed by a local manufacturer where she worked on making men’s jackets during the war and later on, women’s undergarments.
Josephine was raised in a loving family and life was filled with the simple joys of being surrounded by her siblings and many close cousins in East Boston. Married in 1947 to Bill, they loved ballroom dancing and it became a regular part of their lives. Homemaking, cooking and especially baking was always a central part of her life. All generations of the family remember with fondness the delicious flavors of her homemade biscotti’s, manicotti and ravioli! Most remembered will be Josephine’s beautiful Christmas and Easter Breads. Josephine also spent her time crocheting beautiful afghans treasured by many family members of all ages.
Later in life, at the age of 65, Josephine decided to attend driving school, passed her driver’s test and enjoyed many years of driving. Josephine’s most treasured memories were times spent with generations of relatives at the many “Vasapolli Family Reunions”. It was there that stories were passed down, new babies were welcomed into the fold and laughter, food and music were celebrated.
Services will be held from the Beals-Geake-Magliozzi Funeral Home, 29 Governors Avenue, Medford, MA. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Raphael Church, 514 High Street, Medford, MA on Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at 11:00 AM. Visiting hours for family and friends, Monday, January 9, 2023, 4 to 7 PM. Interment will be held in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Medford. Donations in Josephine’s memory may be made to Harborside Hospice, LLC, 241 Winter Street, Suite # 201, Haverhill, MA 01831 or the charity of your choice. For additional information, please visit, www.magliozzifuneralhome.com.
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