Josephine M. "Jo" Stephenson

Josephine M. “Jo” Stephenson passed away Sunday, June 8, at the age of 92. Jo had a great enthusiasm for life which she freely shared and cared deeply about the friendships she made throughout her life, most recently with a special group of friends that took her in as one of their own and affectionately referred to her as “mom”. She has always had an adventurous and free spirit highlighted by zip lining in the Bahamas at the young age of 87, loved camping, and the company of friends around a campfire. Jo’s love of music and hanging out with friends made her a Monday night regular at Argilla Brewing Company and a frequent Sunday visitor to Blue Crab Grill. 

She was a great storyteller and often talked fondly about growing up in Larksville, PA, the great love her parents shared, and the adventures of her life. She loved shopping at Boscov’s and going out to dinner. 

Jo was predeceased by her son, David Cometa; her husbands, Calogero “Sonny” Cometa and Jack Stephenson; her siblings, Margaret, twin brothers: Billy and Jimmy, Richard “Doc”, John and Tommy. She is survived by sister, Gertrude; her daughter, Sharon Cometa; her son and daughter-in-law, Brian & Sandy Cometa. She was grandmother to Lori (Rob) Garris, Joey (Nicki) Garris, Kaitlin (Cody) Cometa and great grandmother to Jaxon Garris and Tyler Smulski. 

She will be fondly remembered for her wry sense of humor, her kindness and her resilience throughout her life. 

Family and friends are invited to visit on Wednesday, June 18th, 2025 from 10AM-11:30AM at the Doherty Funeral Home, 3200 Limestone Rd., Wilmington, DE 19808.  A funeral service will begin at 11:30AM. Interment will be held privately at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Bear, DE at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made in Jo’s name to Sunday Breakfast Mission, P.O. Box 352, Wilmington, DE 19899  or https://sundaybreakfastmission.org/give. 

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