Josephine Dolores Kozell

“Her Family was Her Life” Josephine Dolores Kozell was born January 26, 1934 in Paterson, New Jersey to her parents Frank & Rose Cambria. To Joe and Ricky she was always Mom, to her 10 grandchildren and great grandchildren she was affectionately known as Gam or Gammy Jo. To all her friends she was known simply as Jo and to the small children of friends she was called Gam. That is how she wanted it. Mom was the most beautiful person inside and out and as the single parent for two boys she was as tough as nails when she had to be, but still as tender as the Gardenia flower she loved all of her life. She always made sure that the holidays, birthdays and special occasions for us were just right. She sacrificed for herself in order to give to Joe and me when we were growing up. She shared the little she had with those that were less fortunate. Over the years she gave a place to stay to more than a few who had nowhere else to go. Some stayed only a short time and others until they got their feet back on the ground, she never said no. Recently someone told me of a woman who she identified as a walking Angel because of all she had been through in her life. As we learned just how many lives our Mom has touched it became very clear to Joe & me that our Mom was also a walking Angel. Some of those lives she touched called her Mom, Gam, Gammy Jo, Auntie Jo, Mama Jo and some called her Josie and of course the little ones called her Gam. All of these references to her were so special to her more than anyone probably knew. Over the years Mom fought and beat cancer on two occasions. This last year of our Moms life was the hardest cancer battle she had to fight. She really thought she beat it forever. She underwent her radiation treatments and we all thought she was out of the woods. Those treatments ended up weakening Mom to the point where she no longer could breathe well. She entered the hospital on October 7, 2015 for the fight of her life. She fought for 26 days to stay with her boys. On November 1, 2015 at 9:50 PM our Mom lost her fight. She passed away very peacefully and comfortably with her sons and best friends of 50 years by her side. She is survived by her 2 sons Ricky and Joey, daughter-in-law Deborah, her 6 grandchildren Lisa, Ricky, Keri, Brian, Bobby and Daniel as well as her 4 Great Grandchildren Luca, Gino, Rosie and Liam. In lieu of flowers or gifts the family asks that donations be made in the name of Josephine D. Kozell to either; St Jude’s Children Hospital in her name: https://shop.stjude.org/GiftCatalog/donation.do?cID=14262&pID=24671&sc_icid=wtg-mm-btn-donate-now - OR- Levine Senior Center in her name The Levine Senior Center 1050 DeVore Lane Matthews, NC 28105

Josephine Dolores Kozell

January 26, 1934 - November 1, 2015