Josephine (Scalzo) Morse

Josephine (Scalzo) Morse, age 89, passed peacefully home to the Lord at Brookdale Assisted Living in Wake Forest, NC on January 23, 2017, surrounded by her family and friends. She was born on August 23, 1927 in Old Forge, PA to Federico and Lena Scalzo. Josephine graduated from Old Forge High School in 1943, and was a mathematical and accounting whiz her entire life. Josephine worked as an office Manager for the W.T. Grant Company for over 35 years, then as an office manager for the Franklin Furniture Company in Syracuse, NY. After retirement, she volunteered in the Children’s section of the Mattydale Library. She was also the official greeter at Brookdale; she sat on the porch and welcomed everyone who visited the facility. At church, she always sat at the end of the pew, and the children would always come up and give her big hugs. Actually, so did the adults. She so looked forward to that. Josephine was a loving, caring Mother, Wife, and Sister. She loved all her family deeply, and always looked forward to family get-togethers. She was a strong Roman Catholic who attended daily mass, and was an active participant in her parish. In Syracuse, she attended St. Margaret’s Church in Mattydale. In Raleigh, she attended St. Francis of Assisi parish. She loved knitting and crocheting, and made many beautiful treasures that will carry on her legacy. She was also an active participant in the parish shawl ministry. Josephine loved cooking and baking, and will always be lovingly remembered for her chocolate chip cookies. She is predeceased by her parents, Federico and Lena Scalzo; her husband, Leland Morse, and her brother, Frederick Scalzo, Jr. Josephine is survived by her son, David (Mary Ann) Crout of Wake Forest, NC; her brother, Peter (Liberty) Scalzo of Syracuse, NY; her sister, Clementine Borea of Benicia, CA; her sister-in-law, Dolores Scalzo of Syracuse, NY; nieces, Diane (James), Rosemarie, Adele, and Mary Elizabeth (Scott); nephews, Peter, Frankie, Michael, Rick, and numerous grand-nieces and grand-nephews. A Funeral Mass in celebration of Josephine’s life will be conducted on Saturday, January 28, 2017 at 9:00 AM in Our Lady of Pompei/St. Peter Church. Burial will follow in the Onondaga County Veterans Cemetery. A calling hour will be held from 8:00 – 9:00 AM on Saturday at the church, 301 Ash St., Syracuse, NY. Donations may be made to Brookdale Assisted Living, c/o Associates Fund, 611 Brooks St., Wake Forest, NC 27587.

Josephine (Scalzo) Morse

August 23, 1927 - January 23, 2017