When an Italian woman is beautiful and intelligent she is the definition, the compliment of love and life. She is why men create goddesses.

The world will miss her when she leaves.Such is the story of Josephine Casella Marine, 77, who left two sons, Jule and Mark, two granddaughters, Josie and Jessica, a grandson, Nate, and an endless impact on everyone she touched. Her daughters-in-law, Michelle and Paula, will miss calling her mom.

Josephine passed away November 18, 1999, in Salt Lake City.

Born to Sicilian Immigrants in 1922 in New York to a mother who arrived alone to Ellis Island at age eight and a father studying to be a priest. She grew up in a large family and while a young woman, her brothers, Rocky, Fiore, and Tony, could not protect her from the sailor from Utah who stole her heart in 1944 while on leave. A short time later she left her brothers and sisters, Eleanor, Clara, and Mary, to come to Salt Lake, a sterile and empty comparison to Manhattan. Her mother never forgave her.

For the next 55 years she brought a touch of Italy, a bit of New York and an unmatched energy to those with whom she worked and played. Her recipes and smiles taught the local residents how the world should be perceived and her impact is felt still.

View Comments

Her family learned about the good in people, the generosity of sharing and the meaning of art, music and things beautiful. Her sons would listen to her sing "Que Sera Sera" time and again as they grew. She supported her boys in all their endeavors, sports, work, families and friendships. She favored large long meals and red wine that was hard to come by in Zion. She the challenge of Las Vegas and all its ways to entertain. She could take over a poker table of truckers and muscles, or she could stop a stage show with her entrance, her gowns and her experience; something she mastered with her husband, Julie, of 50 years at the endless array of nightclubs "back east", in their youth.

In later life Josephine was a bingo player, a grandmother and a culinary master. Age began to tire her and it was no longer necessary to control a room full of people or dominate in the beautiful way that she often did all the events and gatherings that will become smaller and duller now without her.

La Vitae' Bella

A Graveside Service will be Monday, November 20, 1999, 12 noon, at Redwood Memorial Estates, 6500 S. Redwood Rd. Friends may call one hour prior to the service.

Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.