Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano with his mother, Josephine Spano, who passed away on Dec. 6
By Dan Murphy
Here is one of the many memories we have received from the people of Yonkers, who are fondly remembering Josephine Spano, who passed away on Dec. 6.
“When you walked into the Spano home on Christmas morning, you couldn’t see any part of the Christmas tree, only the angel peeking from the top. A mountain of gifts covered the rest for every person who entered the house. Josephine made sure of it, and with sixteen children, there were many more welcomed in. She adored giving presents which came in many forms, most notably the gift of love.
“Born on January 6, 1934, Josephine grew up in Yonkers and attended Commerce High School. She met and fell in love with her teenage sweetheart, Leonard Spano. They married on July 12, 1952. She followed him into the desert in California as he trained as a U.S. Marine entering the Korean Conflict, and their adoration for each other deepened with every decade through his public service as a longtime County Legislator and Westchester Clerk. Josephine was a quiet force behind the political careers of her husband and sons. They were happily married for 67 years.
“When their first child Nicholas was born, they celebrated the gift of parenthood, but then after losing twin boys ten hours after birth, she was told another child would not be in her future. That day began her devotion to Saint Gerard, the patron saint of motherhood, and 15 children later, her dedication never stopped. For more than fifty years, she hosted an annual mass with blessings for women going through the same challenges.
“Some of the greatest gifts passed down were to her children. Whether it was to share a hug, or a special private moment, she was always there for them. She is survived by her children, Senator Nick Spano (Linda), John (Evelyn), Maria Elena, Eleanore (John ), Leonard (Christine), Joanne (Vincent ), Rosemarie (Christopher ), Camille (John ), Mayor Mike Spano (Mary), Victoria (Thomas ), Anthony (Eva), Dolores (Richard ), Loretta (Luis ), Gerard (Karly), Joseph (Rosalie), and City Clerk Vincent (Jaime).
“Her legacy carries on in her 42 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren who meant the world to her.
“When asked what they remember most, her children said her gift of inner strength, her ability to carry a family through a crisis, and her hospitality in welcoming everyone into her home. Her gift of generosity began years before, for her children as the President of the PTA at Saint Peter’s School and Mount Carmel School, member of the St. Ann Society, head of the lunch program at Sacred Heart, supporter of special needs children, and volunteer for many charitable causes.
“A keeper of traditions, Josephine spent summers by the bay in Mastic Beach with the whole family, a weekend away with her girls, an afternoon of bingo, a talk over a cup of tea or a glass of red wine, always putting them first. To her children, she was more than a giver of a mountain of gifts, she will forever be their loving and caring angel.”
Mayor Mike Spano said, “This is a time of reflection and prayer for my family and I. I’ve been thinking about how my mother prayed to St. Gerard for guidance. I came across this quote from him and I just want to thank all of you for the outpouring of support and comfort during this time. While my family and I lean on each other, thank you to everyone in this City and beyond for your prayers.
“Consider the shortness of time, the length of eternity, and reflect how everything here below comes to an end and passes by. Of what use is it to lean upon that which cannot give support?” – St. Gerard
