Josephine A. Gigliotti

This is the day I dreaded my whole life, even so when I lost my dad, Tom. My mom was an extraordinary woman. She was the greatest mother any child could ask for, the most faithful and devoted wife to my father, and was the most loyal friend anyone could wish for.

To my beloved mom…

I walked in my house on April 8th, and you were no longer here. Life is so unpredictable, one minute you’re there, the next minute you’re gone. Your passing was something I never prepared for. How do you do that? Ever since you left me, although I was devastated, I knew in my heart you are with dad now. When dad saw you, he must have said “what took you so long”? You are also with your mom, dad, and Paula, your beloved daughter. I’m sure when you arrived Jesus took you by the hand and welcomed you through the gates of Heaven.

Now you no longer feel pain, living the life of glory and with all the love that surrounds you now. Once dad passed away over seven years ago, we all knew you did not want to go on without him. We know that when he perished, a part of you did as well. He was without doubt, the love of your life. Once you left us and joined Dad in paradise, there was no turning back. You found your destiny. Once again, you are joined with your husband and family who waited a long time for you to walk into the light. You are dancing in the rain and enjoying the sunshine. You are now accompanied by Jesus, our Lord and Savior and now you are finally home.

Now let’s turn to a few personal and intimate times of my mom’s life. My mom was born in Brooklyn, New York and at the age of fourteen, she moved to Massachusetts. It was then when my mom met my Father, Thomas Ralph Gigliotti. She was only 17 years old, and he was 20. She met him on the steps of the courthouse in downtown Worcester Massachusetts. The rest was history. They were married on September 1^st, 1958, and were married for 58 years. As mentioned a moment ago, my father was 20 and she was 17, and my father passed in 2017. It’s funny how ironic these numbers are. Their marriage gave three children, Paula, Tom, and myself.  Once we were of school age, she began working with my father in the family catering business. She always worked so hard. They initially settled down in a small town in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts but not long after, they eventually settled for good, in this town of Plantation, Florida. This is when my mom built her career in Real Estate. Many times my mom was the top seller in her office. This is also the time she met her long time and best friend, Natalie Canestri. With all my mom’s hard work at her career, she always put her family first. Through the years she sacrificed in many ways for her children and my dad. When my sister Paula, my brother Tom, and I were growing up, she was always there to take us to school in the morning, and be waiting for us at the end of the day followed up with dinner on the table by 5:30 pm, sharp, before our dad got home. She had a routine and always did everything like clockwork. She was your typical 1950’s homemaker.    

Now that I am dismissed from my "special" job of taking care of her, it leaves an emptiness deep in my heart. It was a job I wasn’t willing to give up any time soon. It wasn’t actually a job per se’, I did this out of love, and was there in her darkest days. Today I feel a sense of helplessness as I no longer have her to care for.  I would do it all over again if I had the chance.

This entire eulogy is from myself and my brother Tom. Today I am lost, heartbroken, and without my mom.  Love you so much.  Forever rest in peace mom. I will miss you for the rest of my life.