Josephine R. (Tarantella) Richmond – Obituary

ObitArtMT. PENN – Josephine R. (Tarantella) Richmond, 85, of Mt. Penn, passed away on June 30, 2014 with her family by her side.

She was born August 1, 1928 in Renovo, Pa., to the late Rose and Giuseppe Tarantella. Josephine leaves behind the love of her life, Claude “Rich” Richmond, to whom she was married for 62 years on July 4.

Josephine graduated from St. Joseph’s High School, Renovo, in 1946 and spent her life taking care of others. She volunteered at St. Joseph’s Hospital, served as an aide at the Precious Blood Convent daycare and worked at The Little Red Shoe House in Mt. Penn. Even though Josephine had a large family, she acted as a mother to many within her extended family and was always first to help neighbors and friends in need.

She was a member of St. Catharine of Siena R.C. Church.

Dolly, as she was fondly known by friends, could make friends with anyone using her quick wit and outgoing nature. She often sat on her front porch where she would chat with neighbors about old times. In younger years she enjoyed dates laughing with her girlfriends. Her favorite pastimes include playing tennis, shopping at Boscov’s Department Store, taking bus trips to the casinos and doting on her grandchildren.

What her family will remember most about Dolly is her unforgettable story-weaving during family get-togethers. The same story would be a little different from the last, and even more hilarious. Dolly’s favorite moments were her trips to Spain and Italy and her beach and camping vacations with her children and her niece Rita Welcomer.

Dolly was predeceased by her parents, her three brothers: Thomas, Albert and James; two sisters: Genevieve and Isabel; and her oldest son Bruce. Surviving in addition to her husband are a daughter-in-law, JA Richmond and three sons: Gary and wife, Stacey, of Blandon; David and wife, Robin, of Mechanicsburg; and Keith of Mt. Gretna. Dolly is also survived by seven grandchildren; Colleen, Kayla, Kelsey, Derek, Erika, Matt and Richie and four great-grandchildren; Zoe, Alex, Kailee and one on the way. Her legacy is her family, which she and “Pop” raised with humor, generosity, acceptance and most importantly love. We will miss her dearly.

Services for Dolly were held on Monday, July 7, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. Interment followed in Forest Hills Memorial Park. Contributions may be made in her memory to St. Catharine’s R.C. Church, 2427 Perkiomen Avenue, Reading, PA 19606.

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