Josephine (Vali) Rivoli

Josephine Vali Rivoli, 100, of Penfield, died on Friday, February 26, 2021, at home surrounded by family.
 
Josephine was born in Rochester on June 7, 1920 to Antonio and Angelina Vali. She was the eldest of five children.
 
Jay, as she was often called, attended Franklin High School where she met Christopher Rivoli, the love of her life. The two were married shortly after they graduated from high school in 1939.  They had a beautiful marriage that resulted in two sons. Christopher’s unexpected death in 1968 didn’t end their love story. Jay never dated and never took off her rings.  She said she “had the love of her life” and would wait until she could be with him again.
 
In her younger years, Jay loved gardening. After her husband’s death, she also became quite handy and was unafraid to tackle any fix-it jobs around the house. 
Jay was a tremendous cook who created many beautiful memories often centered around great meals and family gatherings.
 
But Jay’s love of cooking was second only to her love of family. She enjoyed a lifelong closeness with her siblings and their families and cherished the times spent with them. And while she loved her extended family, her most prized position in life was that of mother and grandmother. She enjoyed a beautiful bond with her sons, who absolutely adored her. And her grandsons brought her much pride and joy. They adored their grandmother – and their special relationships brought her much peace in her final days.
 
Josephine is survived by her sons Christopher and Kevin (Michele); their sons Jonathan, Jack and Nick; her sister Mary DeJohn, lifelong friend Millie Ragonese, and many, much-loved nieces and nephews.
 
In addition to her husband, Jay was predeceased by her daughter-in-law Susan, her brothers and sister-in-laws Frank and Matti Vali, and Joseph and Mary Vali; her sister and brother-in-law Eleanor and Leo Leuci and brother-in-law and Jerold DeJohn.
 

A private committal service in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Rochester, will be held at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are with White Chapel Funeral Home Inc., 197 South Street, Auburn. 
 

Contributions may be made in memory of Josephine to Hospice of the Finger Lakes, 1130 Corporate Drive, Auburn, NY 13021
 

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