East Meadow – Josephine (Jo) DeSimone 86, of East Meadow, NY passed away peacefully on July 31, 2018. Jo was an only child born on Jan. 14, 1932 to the late Salvatore and Anna (nee LaPlaca) DiGangi in Brooklyn, NY. Jo attended Franklin K Lane High School in Brooklyn and began working as a secretary in Manhattan upon graduation. She married John DeSimone in 1953 and left her job to begin a family. After their 5th child was born, they finally outgrew their Brooklyn apartment and moved to North Valley Stream, NY in 1961 where all 6 children were raised. Josephine returned to the workforce after her divorce in the mid-70s, first as legal secretary for an attorney and then to the School Superintendents office in the Valley Stream School district from which she finally retired. A short time after, she relocated to East Meadow with her youngest son and his family. Jo is survived by her six children Donna (Thomas) Stone, of Yonkers, NY, John and Mark both of Gilbert, AZ, Diane (Steve), of Leesburg, VA, Janet of Mesa, AZ, and Robert (Elizabeth) of East Meadow, NY along with 5 grandchildren Gina, Nick (Robyn), Tyler (Jenny), Marie and Maggie and her great grandchild, Lily Rose. Jo was also blessed with 4 caring step-grandchildren and 5 step-great grandchildren. Jo loved being surrounded by family and friends, enjoying lots of love, laughter (and champagne) which was lately replaced with ginger ale and lots of sweet & salty snacks! She was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother and friend, who instilled in all her children her love of reading (and in some of them) working crossword and sudoku puzzles. She will be dearly missed by her loving family and many friends. Reposing, Leo F. Kearns, Inc., 445 East Meadow Ave, East Meadow, NY Tuesday, August 7th, 4 to 8 PM. Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, August 8th, Sacred Heart Church, 720 Merrick Ave, North Merrick, NY at 10:15 AM. The family requests that you do not send flowers or baskets in her memory, however if you feel so moved, donations can be made in her name to the COPD Foundation www.copdfoundation.com or the charity of your choice.

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