Josephine Sileci

JOSEPHINE SILECI

Marion

Josephine Sileci, 82, of Marion, Iowa, passed away peacefully at her home in Marion on Saturday, April 9, 2022, surrounded by her loving family. She was formerly of Dubuque, Iowa, from 1974 to 2008, and prior to that she resided in Brooklyn, N.Y. Visitation for Josephine will be held from

9 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 12, at Reiff Funeral Home in Cascade, Iowa. Mass of Christian burial for Josephine will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 12, at St. Martin's Catholic Church in Cascade with the Rev. Mark Osterhaus presiding. Burial will be held in Calvary Cemetery in Cascade, Iowa.

She was born June 4, 1939, in Termini Imerese, Sicily, Italy, the daughter of Leonardo and Ignazia Cirino. She was a graduate of Stone College in Connecticut. On Nov. 24, 1962, she was united in marriage to Gioacchino Sileci.

She was a bookkeeper for the Telegraph Herald in Dubuque until her retirement. Josephine was a member of St. Joseph's Parish in Marion, Iowa.

Josephine was a caring wife, a loving mother and a doting Nonna (grandmother), she loved with her whole heart and was giving to all. Josephine's grandchildren were the pride and joy of her life. The legacy of Josephine's kind spirit, passion for cooking, doing for others and zest for life will live on through them. Josephine will be missed but not forgotten.

She is survived by her husband, Gioacchino Sileci of Marion, Iowa; her daughter, Vincenza Anna (Steve) McElmeel; two grandchildren, Gabriel Lynn McElmeel and Gianna Josephina McElmeel; two brothers, Francesco "Frank" Cirino of Seymour, Conn., and Philip Frank Cirino of Fort Wayne, Ind.

She was preceded in death by her siblings, Rosa Zanca, Andrew "Andrea" Cirino, Maria Concetta Cannavo and Luigi "Lou" Cirino; a brother-in-law, Nicola Cannavo; a sister-in-law, Carmela Cirino; and two nephews, Leonardo "Lenny" Cirino and Leonardo "Lee" Cirino.

A video tribute may be viewed and online condolences may be sent to the family at www.reifffuneralhomeinc.com.