Obituary of Josephine C. Kay

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Josephine “Jo” Carol Kay (nee Catania), 83 of North Wildwood, NJ. 

It is with tremendous sadness and heartbreak that we announce the passing of our beautiful, fierce, humble, dedicated, and loving wife, mother, grandmom, daughter, sister, aunt, and niece. Josephine “Jo” Kay (nee Catania). Born on December 24, 1939, at Delaware County Memorial Hospital. Raised in Upper Darby. Attended Upper Darby High School. Proudly employed at Kresge’s. Met and married her husband Ed of 58 years. Passed away Sunday, June 4, 2023, after a lengthy illness. 

She loved and took pride in her favorite roles as devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Josephine was pre-deceased by her parents Pearl and George Catania, brothers George and John Catania.

Jo is survived by her loving husband of 59 years Edward P. Kay, Sr. her cherished sons, Edward Kay (Michele Phillips Kay), Thomas Kay (partner, Sandy Scott), David Kay (Michelle Jones Kay), her pride and joy/grandchildren, Mason, Taylor, Mathew and Olivia, her sisters Grace Esposito (James), Marie Zekas (Al), Fran Staffieri (Robert), many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Born and raised in Upper Darby, PA Josephine married the love of her life, Ed and raised their three sons there. Spending many summer vacations in Wildwood, she and Ed eventually built their dream home in Anglesea, North Wildwood where she spent the remainder of her years.  

Besides spending time with her family and friends. Josephine was a passionate and gifted artist.  She sketched, sewed, embroidered, and crocheted as if she was formally trained. To be gifted one of her crocheted blankets was an honor. She was one of a group of women who met weekly to crochet and donate hundreds of lap blankets to retirement homes. Many of the local college sports teams unknowingly wore jerseys she embroidered from her dining room when she worked for her nephew in-law. Every stitch she sewed was with pride. She was a big part of her grandchildren’s lives. Josephine single-handedly restored every inch of natural wood in their 100-year-old Upper Darby home. She was also known as a wonderful cook. There was nothing she couldn’t do if she set her mind to it. Jo also loved Elvis Presley and spent hours listening to his music and watching his movies.  

Jo’s imprint on those she loved will live on in them. She was beautiful both inside and out. She will be missed terribly but never forgotten. 

Services in celebration of Josephine’s life will be held 11am Wednesday June 14th 2023 at the Rio Grande Bible Baptist Church, 1107 Rt. 47 S, Rio Grande, NJ 08242 with a calling time from 10 to 11 am in the church. Interment will be in the Cold Spring Presbyterian Cemetery, Cape May, NJ.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to. the church in her memory.

Condolences to ingersollgreenwoodfh.com