Josephine Mollica

Josephine Mollica, 100, died peacefully on December 12, 2008 in the comfort of her Reading residence with her loving daughter, Nina, at her side.

She was predeceased by her first husband, Joseph Luciani, who died on August 9, 1946 and by her second husband, Joseph Mollica, who died March 22, 1981.

Born in Reading, PA on February 28, 1908, she was a daughter of the late Mario and Maria (Ravetano) Mollica. Josephine spent her early childhood in Sicily, and grew up in Providence, RI where she was employed in the jewelry industry. She moved to Reading when she married Joseph. They established a home where she lived for the past 56 years.

Josephine was a member of Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church, Reading. She served as a cook in the Rectory and was an active volunteer for the parish branch of the Society for Shut-Ins.

She is survived by a daughter; Antonina M. "Nina" Mollica, with whom she resided. She was predeceased by a son, Joseph, Jr., who died in infancy.

She was a loving sister to Domenica (Mollica) Daglieri and half-brothers, Joseph and Salvatore Mollica now deceased.

"Auntie Josie" is survived by Domenica's son, Lawrence Daglieri of Bristol, RI, whom she helped raise, and by her brothers' children, and her husband's nieces and nephews including Sam Mollica of Wyomissing.

Josephine was a devoted mother who instilled a love for reading in her daughter. She enjoyed making many new friends as she assisted Nina with Celtic and folk music events in the 80s and 90s.

"Mama Mollica" was cherished by a loyal circle of friends who especially supported her during the past three years as she bravely fought illness. She will be especially missed by her dear friend Domenica "Minnie" Notobartolo.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Rev. Msgr. Felix A. Losito on Wednesday at 9:30 am in Holy Rosary R.C. Church, 3rd and Franklin Streets, Reading. A visitation will be held Wednesday 8:00 - 9:00 am in Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., 739 Penn Ave., West Reading. Burial will be in Gethsemane Cemetery, Muhlenberg Township.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Holy Rosary R.C. Church, 237 Franklin Street, Reading, PA 19602. We encourage you to honor her memory by helping children learn to read or by providing books to the children of our community. For online condolences, visit www.kuhnfuneralhome.com