Josephine Christina

Waterford — Josephine Viola Christina, 102, the last of her generation, died peacefully on Monday, Sept. 10, 2018, surrounded by her family at Bridebrook Nursing Home. She was born in New London on March 28, 1916, the daughter of the late Verna Cannata and Liboria Insinga Cannata. She married Rosario Christina on Sept. 2, 1939. He predeceased her on Oct. 30, 1975.

She worked for many years, walking from her home in Waterford to Garfield Belt in New London, retiring in 1981. Wanting to keep busy, she then went to work for Father Richard Roughan at St. Paul’s Church in Waterford, and retiring again in 1996 when she was 80 years old. She loved her home, gardens and flowers, but most of all family was her greatest love. She taught us all how to make her favorite Italian recipes, especially Cappelettis which her son and family still make today.

She is survived by her son Ret. Master Chief Robert Christina and his wife Mary, and her daughter Gloria Russell and her husband Ken. She also leaves seven grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Besides her husband, she was predeceased by her siblings Grace Carini, Pauline Yartz, Bertha Morosetti, Benjamin Cannata and Virginia Blake. She was also predeceased by her infant grandson Michael Christina. She will be truly missed by all who love her.

The family is forever grateful for the loving care and attention given to her by the staff at Bridebrook; all the staff on the third floor, especially Eileen, Melody, Latoya and Stephie.

There will be a calling hour from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 14, at the Impellitteri-Malia Funeral Home, 84 Montauk Ave., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial noon at St. Joseph Church. Interment will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, all in New London.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Joseph Church Capital Campaign, 37 Squire St., New London, CT.