Josephine A. (Papa) DiStefano

Josephine A. (Papa) DiStefano, 92, of Wilmington, DE peacefully passed away on Friday, September 29, 2017, following a brief illness.  She was surrounded by her loving family.

Mrs. DiStefano was a devoted mother and teacher. After graduating from Drexel University she married Bill, a boy from the neighborhood, and raised her six children. A devout Catholic and member of St. John the Beloved Church, she had a long, successful, and enjoyable teaching career at St John the Beloved School. Josephine thought of 800 Hercules Rd as her castle. She was a great cook and treasured big family dinners. She loved to dance, especially the jitterbug with her husband, and enjoyed watching Dancing with the Stars. Shopping for a bargain was her passion, and she did it well. Josephine was a strong, loving, thoughtful, and caring mother, sister, teacher and friend.

Josephine will be dearly missed by her children, Julie Donofrio and husband, Nicholas, Bill DiStefano and wife, Karen, Joann DiStefano and husband, Frank Emmons, Marlene DiStefano, Donna DiStefano, Laurie Ann Baron and husband, Ron; her 11 grandchildren and 1 great granddaughter.  She is also survived by her siblings, Nellie Papa, Marco Papa, Carmelina DaVia, Jennie May, Domenick Papa, Peter Papa, Rose Cuocolo, Anita Clark; several nephews, nieces and their families. 

Josephine was predeceased by her husband of 61 years, William A. DiStefano, who passed away in 2009; her siblings, Mary, Vincent, and Ralph Papa.

We want to thank Seasons Hospice and Christiana Hospital, 6th floor Stroke Unit for the wonderful care that they gave to her.

Family and friends are invited to visit at St. John the Beloved Church, 907 Milltown Road, Wilmington on Thursday, October 5 from 9:30-11:15AM.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30AM.  Entombment will follow in Cathedral Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Josephine may be made to Seasons Hospice, 220 Continental Drive, #407, Newark, DE 19713 or St. John the Beloved School, 905 Milltown Road, Wilmington, DE 19808.

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