Obituary of Josephine M. Svehla

Josephine “Babe” Svehla (nee Masi) left this world peacefully surrounded by family on May 28th of 2022 at the age of 90. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend who enjoyed spending time with her large family and would never pass up a good cup of coffee and dessert. Josephine born February 10th of 1932 to Guiseppe and Guiseppina Masi (nee Nappi). Josephine, born and raised in Newark, NJ, graduated from Central High School in 1950, was a devout parishioner of St. Lucy’s Roman Catholic Church and a lifelong devotion to St. Gerard. Josephine was preceded in death by her parents, Guiseppe and Guiseppina Masi (nee Nappi), husband, Anthony “Shabbi” Svehla, and her seven siblings, Constantino Rizzo, Cesare Rizzo, Philip Masi, Steven Masi, Nunzio Masi, Marie Grillo and Antoinette DiGregorio. She is survived by her sister, Carmela Masi; six children and in-laws, Susan Svehla, Henry Svehla (Diane preceded in death), Jo Ann Melillo (Anthony), Maria Svehla, Anthony Svehla (Susan), and Joseph Svehla (Patricia); 14 grandchildren, Michelino Nibaldi, Pina Villanueva (Anthony), Natalia Sardo, Jolene Eagle (Thomas), Jillian Svehla, Michele Svehla, Philip Svehla, Daniel Svehla (Cristina Rodriguez), Paige Svehla (Michael Salomon), Briana Santiago (Joseph Pietrzak), Shelby Svehla, Ashley Svehla, Michael Svehla and Joseph Svehla; 10 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. A mass will be held at St. Lucy's Church; 118 7th Ave, Newark, NJ on Wednesday, July 27th at 12:00pm. Following will be a funeral service at Hollywood Memorial Park, 1500 Stuyvesant Avenue, Union, NJ. In lieu of flowers, family ask donations to be made to the Dementia Society of America.