Obituary of Josephine R. (DeFrancesco) Fusco - Retired Salem City Clerk

PEABODY - Josephine (DeFrancesco) Fusco passed away peacefully onThursday, Novemebr 27, 2014. Josephine was the devoted wife of the late Michael J. Fusco and the daughter of the late John DeFrancesco and Margaret Mento of Italy. Josephine was born in Salem, MA, graduated from Salem High School in 1941 and the Salem Hawthorne Business Institute in 1942.
In 1950 she married her beloved husband, Michael J. Fusco of Swampscott and had one beautiful daughter named Judith.

Josephine was an exemplary stenographer and then secretary to many local firms. She then became a junior clerk in the City of Salem and then appointed as the Salem City Clerk. Josephine was in charge of city elections and reduced the amount of voting precincts in the 7 wards from 23 to 14 which saved the city a great deal of money. She was also instrumental in opening the city hall doors on Thursday evenings and closing on Friday at noon in order to accommodate the citizens of Salem. Josephine Fusco was also a Justice of the Peace and performed approximately 830 marriages in her home. She enjoyed performing the wedding ceremonies as it gave her an opportunity to meet so many wonderful happy couples.

On July 6, 1979 the Mass Dept. of Public Health recognized Josephine for the assistance given to their department for the development of a Spanish Hospital Work Sheet designed to facilitate the preparation certificate of live births. Thanks to her efforts, their office made this form available to all maternity hospitals throughout the Commonwealth.

On February 21, 1980 the Massachusetts Dir. of Elections informed Josephine they were going to send Voting Instruction Posters to all voting precincts in the Commonwealth that have been adopted by Salem City Clerk Josephine Fusco.
On September 23, 1982 the Mass. Municipal Association awarded her the Outstanding Municipal Employee of the year. Josephine was also a member of the Salem Veturia Romana Lodge #1200 for over 70 years.
Josephine retired on Dec. 31, 1992.

She is survived by her daughter Judith Theokas and her husband Ron, of Peabody, and her two Grandsons who she was so very proud of and loved dearly, Michael Jaworski and his wife Michelle of Salem, Ma., and Bradley Jaworski and his wife Jessica of Bedford, Ma., She is also survived by her two Great Grandchildren Mia and Michael Jaworski of Salem, Ma, whom she adored and enjoyed so very much. She is also survived by her brother Sam DeFrancesco and wife Jeanne of Topsfield, sister Sarah DeFrancesco of Swampscott., sister-in-law Barbara DeFrancesco, of Salem, sister Maria Munroe of Salem.
She was predeceased by her brother Pat DeFrancesco and his wife, Josephine formerly of N.H., her brother Joseph DeFrancesco formerly of Salem, Ma, her sister Margaret Landolfi and husband Lewis, formerly of Salem, Ma. and her sister Jeannette Bonfanti and husband Joseph formerly of Salem, Ma. We will truly miss Josephine as she loved to give and make people happy.

Her funeral will be held from the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal St., (cor of North St) Salem on Wednesday December 3, 2014 at 9:15 A.M. followed by a Funeral Mass at St. John the Baptist Church, 17 Chestnut St., Peabody at 10:00 a.m. Visiting hours will be held at the Murphy Funeral Home on Tuesday, December 2, 2014 from 4:00 P.m. to 8:00 P.M. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Salem. For those who w mmish memorial contributions may be made to The Order Sons of Italy in America, Veturia Romana Lodge #1200, 46 Prince St., Salem, MA 01970. For additional information or on line guest book please call 978 744 0497 or visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com.