Josephine “Josie” (Carnicella) Corbo, 100, passed away July 20, 2021, at The Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton, Massachusetts. A longtime Altoona resident, Josie relocated to Western Massachusetts in July 2012 to live with her family.
Josie was born in Pontecorvo Italy, daughter of the late Giovanni B. and Maria Antonia (Cervellone) Carnicella. She came to the United States as an infant. She married Dominick Corbo of Altoona on August 7, 1940. He preceded her in death in 2003 after 63 years of marriage. She was also preceded in death by her two younger siblings - her sister, Victoria Carnicella and brother Peter Carnicella.
Surviving her are daughter Dr. Mary Ann (Dr. Edward) Connors of Easthampton, MA, and son, Dr. Nicholas (Barbara) Corbo of Reading, PA; five grandchildren; Dr. Angela Corbo (Frank Emmerich Jr.), Nick (Brenda) Corbo, James Connors, Matthew (Andrea) Corbo and Kathleen Connors, who was her primary caregiver; five great-grandchildren: Miranda, Kayla and Michael Corbo, Lauren Bragg and Crystal Gritzmacher; and a great-great-grandson, Gino; two nieces and thirteen nephews; and two sisters-in-law; Yolanda Carnicella and Joan Corbo.
Josie was a loving and devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, neighbor and friend. She was a tireless worker who selflessly dedicated her life to caring for her family. Faith and family were the two driving forces in her life. She enjoyed cooking, baking, gardening and watching sports. She was a patient, fearless, resilient and determined woman who learned to drive in her forties and took her first airplane flight in her eighties to prepare for her trips to see her birthplace and relatives in Italy.
She was a member and generous benefactor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, Altoona. She was a member of the Sons and Daughters of Italy, Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Abruzzese Society Women’s Club, the Sodality of Our Lady and other organizations.
Friends will be received Thursday, July 29 from 4-7 p.m. at Santella Funeral Home, Altoona, where a vigil for the deceased will be held. The family requests that all guests wear masks. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, July 30, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, Altoona. Committal will be at Calvary Cemetery, Altoona. Arrangements are by Santella Funeral Home. www.santellafuneralhome.com
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Josephine Corbo’s memory to Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School, 2400 Pleasant Valley Boulevard, Altoona, PA 16602 or Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, 806 11th St., Altoona, PA 16602.
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