Obituary of Josephine Marie Johnson

Josephine Marie Johnson, a resident of Wappingers Falls, entered into rest Sunday, December 25, 2011 at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie. She was 72. Daughter of the late Mariano and Christine Corsaro Talluto, she was born July 7, 1939 in Brooklyn. She was raised in Queens and graduated from Newtown High School and Wood Secretarial School. On June 14, 1959 at the First Presbyterian Church of Newtown, she married Nicholas S. Johnson. Mr. Johnson survives at home in Wappingers Falls. Jo had worked as an Administrative Assistant at the Dutchess County Department of Mental Hygiene prior to her retirement. She was the organizer and founder of R.I.D. (Remove Intoxicated Drivers). She also organized a memorial service for victims of drunk drivers for twenty-eight years the Friday before Memorial Day at the County Building in Poughkeepsie. Jo was president of Dutchess County Federation of Women and rose to the position of Director in the 9th Judicial District of Women's Republican Clubs. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Wappingers Falls where she had been an elder. Jo enjoyed many things in life including traveling, reading and going to the theater. She was an avid shopper and home redecorator. However, the most important aspect of her life was her family. She was a devoted wife, loving mother and doting grandmother. She will be truly missed by all who knew her. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her children, Nancy Flannery and her husband, Michael of Tivoli, Nicholas Johnson, Jr. and his wife, Donna of Poughkeepsie and Christine Nastasi of Hyde Park; her grandchildren, Nicholas Johnson, III, Daniel Nastasi, Courtney Johnson, Eric Johnson, Ciara Flannery, Marisa Flannery and Alison Johnson. Family will receive their friends on Wednesday, December 28, 2011 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Straub, Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home, 55 E. Main Street, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, December 29 at the First Presbyterian Church, South Avenue, Wappingers Falls. Entombment at Fishkill Rural Cemetery will be at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Jo's name may be made to the Memorial Fund at the First Presbyterian Church, 2568 South Avenue, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590. For directions to the funeral home or to send a personal condolence, please visit our website at www.StraubCatalanoHalvey.com.