Josephine L. Giura Ciavarella 1931-2023

“Well, I finally made it. I was finally accepted Home.

On Oct. 17, 1931, I was born into the family of Tommasso and Pieta Vecchione Giura. I was the last of seven children to be born, and now the last to die.

I graduated from South High School in January of 1950. I married Joseph Ciavarella on June 6, 1953. Our biggest accomplishment, of many, was our five children, Laura (David) Propri, Louis (Mary) Ciavarella, Linda Burger, Luann (Ed) Dasso, and Larry (Lori) Ciavarella. They gave us 11 grandchildren, who married and gave us more. There are 16 great-grandchildren, and eight great-great-grandchildren.

We had a beautiful home on the hill where Joe had a vegetable garden and I had my flower gardens. The back of the house gave us a beautiful view of the sunrise, and out the front, the sunset. Who could ask for more?

Joe died on Feb. 16, 2002, after 49 years together.

Among other things, we owned The Niles Print Shop, and with the help of my children, I published the Mineral Ridge Event. I have to say, my life was that of a storybook. Even after Joe died, our children never left me alone. There was never a day where I didn’t see at least one of my children. They took me along on their vacations. Two of my nieces took me to Italy to see where my parents were born, and additionally, Rome. My family always made me feel special.

Instead of flowers, I would prefer a donation to the nonprofit, Smile Train, 633 Third Ave., ninth Floor, New York, NY 10017, so that many children could smile, eat and drink normally, and live normal lives.

I will not have an open casket because I don’t wish to be remembered as “the old lady in the box.”

I’m sorry to be leaving this family, but I will be watching from above and I will be with my husband, my parents and my siblings. I thank God and Jesus for their sacrifices that made it possible.

I thank all my friends and acquaintances for making the trip through life as sweet as it was.”

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary Catholic Church in Mineral Ridge. Everyone is welcome to a memorial luncheon immediately following the Mass, at the church. Burial will be in Kerr Cemetery.

Arrangements are being handled by The Joseph Rossi and Sons Funeral Home in Niles.

Family and friends can visit www.josephrossifuneralhome.com to view this obituary and send condolence to Josephine’s family.

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