Josephine “Jo” (DeLorenzo) LaVine

SOUTH GLENS FALLS – Josephine “Jo” (DeLorenzo) LaVine, 85, of South Glens Falls, passed away Saturday September 3, 2016, unexpectedly at Glens Falls Hospital.

She was born January 1, 1931, in Brooklyn, the daughter of the late Frank and Carmela (Arrigo) DeLorenzo.

As a young woman, Jo worked at Dolans Drugstore. She once made a banana split for a customer and forgot to put in the banana. That customer, Ernest LaVine, became her husband. After Ernie’s retirement he and “Josie,” as he would call her, became inseparable. They liked to go out for breakfast, enjoyed scenic drives to Vermont, and grocery shopping together. Ernie passed away in 2011 after 62 years of marriage to “Josie.”

Josephine and her family resided on Numan Street in Glens Falls.

Jo attended St. Michael the Archangel Church in South Glens Falls. Her family was very important. The best day of the week was Sunday, with Mass in the morning, and later serving pasta with her well-loved homemade sauce and meatballs for dinner. Ernie and “the boys” always said there was no one who could outdo Mom’s Sunday dinners.

In addition to her parents, Josephine was predeceased by her son Larry LaVine, and her brother Jack DeLoenzo.

She is survived by her children: Ernie LaVine and his wife, Karen of Queensbury, Garry LaVine of Cohoes, Jody LaVine of South Glens Falls, Jeff LaVine and his wife, Mindy of Glens Falls; her grandchildren: Shelly Marcantonio and her husband, John, Heather LaVine and her husband, Vic Christopher, Christopher LaVine, Courtney LaVine, Ashley LaVine, Samuel LaVine, Ava LaVine; her great-grandson Christopher Marcantonio; her sister Eleanor Simione and her husband, Alfred of South Glens Falls; her brother and sister in law, Micheal and Joyce Massiano of Queensbury; her brother in law Robert Merwin of South Glens Falls; her sisters in law: Shirley DeLorenzo of South Glens Falls, and Bertha LaVigne of Warrensburg; several nieces, nephews, and cousins; and her good friend of 58 years, Louisa Cirelli of South Glens Falls.

Friends may call on Thursday from 4-7 PM at the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main Street in Hudson Falls.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 AM on Friday at St. Michael the Archangel Church in South Glens Falls with the Rev. Tony Childs, pastor, officiating.

The Rite of Committal will follow at St. Mary’s cemetery in South Glens Falls.

Donations in Josephine’s name may be made to Community Hospice, 179 Lawrence St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.