Andover - Josephine Phyllis Iacobo passed away at her home in Andover, MA on Saturday, April 25. Though she struggled with dementia and aphasia the previous five years, the disease did not diminish her warm smile, recognizing family and friends, and the joy of holding her first great-grandchild. She was 94 years old.

Josephine was born in Lawrence, MA to Joseph and Laura Graziano. She grew up on Chestnut Street, the youngest of four children. A first-generation Italian American, the value of an education was instilled in her as a child. She was the valedictorian for Lawrence High School's Class of 1949 and her class salutatorian at Boston University. She met her husband, Anthony, on the train commuting to college. They married in the Holy Rosary Church in 1954 and spent the next dozen years in Washington D.C. Josephine taught in the District's public school system until her first of five daughters was born. After the family relocated to Andover Josephine returned to teaching, first as a substitute teacher and later full-time at the Greater Lawrence Technical School teaching business subjects and English. Teaching and advocating for a strong public school system were values Josephine held most dear. She loved teaching, and the successful graduation and employment of her students was a source of immense pride.

Josephine had several creative outlets. She was an accomplished seamstress, sewing many of her own clothes and often creating her own patterns. She also sewed clothes for her daughters making many first-day-of-elementary school outfits. Her Italian culture informed much of her joy in cooking. Her family was very supportive of her kitchen experiments serving as her trial judges. She was especially fond of foreign and independent films; holding dinner parties for family and friends; playing bridge; taking painting classes; and most of all, being in the company of her children and grandchildren. She gamely took in the cats and dogs her children brought home. She was a devoted parishioner at St. Augustine in Andover. For nearly 30 years, she and Anthony spent the winter months in Juno Beach, FL.

Josephine and Anthony were completely devoted to each other. They were each other's best friends and enjoyed just being in each other's company, whether taking turns reading articles out loud, debating the bridge hand in the Daily Bridge Column, or choosing which movie to see.

She is predeceased by her beloved Anthony; her brothers Anthony Graziano; Lt. Phillip Graziano; Samuel Graziano; and her parents. Josephine is deeply missed by her five daughters: Maria; Laura (Daniel More); Catherine; Antoinette; Christina (Daniel Schwartz); grandchildren Julia More, Madeline More Lane (Kevin Lane), and Oliver More; Joanna and Allison Schwartz; her great-granddaughter, Charlotte Lane; and her niece Carlene (Vinse) Barrett.

Her daughters are grateful for the love and care their mother received from Marie Dessin, Sophie Dessin, Gladys Kalungi, Elis Ortiz, and Micheline Pyram. Weekly visits from her childhood friends Rae Pappalardo and Barbara Ippolito were welcome company. Especially dear were steadfast visits from the family's longtime neighbors Jacklyn and Margery Russem.

The family will hold a funeral Mass on Monday, May 11 (11 a.m.) at St. Augustine (43 Essex St.). In lieu of flowers, donations in her name may be made to Dana Farber Cancer Institute.