Josephine "Josie" (DeRegis) Nigolian's Obituary
Josephine “Josie” (DeRegis) Nigolian, 92, left this earth on March 4, 2023 to join her husband, Sarkis, her beloved daughter, Sandra Mazzoni, and brother, Dominick in heaven.
Josie died as she liked to live - surrounded by family, gossip, and sports on TV.
Josie was born on December 15, 1930 to Morris and Rose DeRegis in Syracuse, NY. She grew up with her brother, Dom, and sister, Vera, in a close-knit extended family. As a first born, first generation Italian American, from a young age she was the default babysitter, cook and housekeeper.
She graduated from North High School and went on to study business at Powelson Business Institute. Upon receiving her degree, she married her childhood sweetheart, Sarkis, and eventually took over the family monument business. A devout Catholic, she spent her entire life putting others first. On top of running the family business and raising her husband, she also raised four children who were involved in many extracurricular activities, which she never missed. In fact, she never missed anything.
Josie loved her family dearly, and showed her love through cooking, praying and “giving it to ya straight”. She always sent cards, never forgetting anyone’s birthday or anniversary. And for your sake, I hope you never forgot hers. Josie’s greatest passions in life were playing cards with her “club girls” who had a 65-year run, coaching the Yankee’s from her living room and besting you at any show on the Game Show Network. Her greatest joy in life was her grandchildren and great-grandchildren – whom she relentlessly doted over.
She is survived by four sons, Andrew (Marianne), Gary (Cindy), Robert (Christy), and Peter Mazzoni; her sister, Vera Cavallo (Dan); ten grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
We will be celebrating the life of this monumental woman on Wednesday, March 8, 2023 with visitation from 9:30 – 10:45 am at St. Charles-St. Ann’s Church, 501 S. Orchard Rd., Syracuse, NY, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am. Private burial will be in Assumption Cemetery.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Martin Noonan as well as the staff at Francis House, and to Josie’s daughters, Marianne and Cindy, thank you for the selfless, round-the-clock care you’ve provided for the past two years.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to Francis House, 108 Michaels Ave, Syracuse, NY 13208 or St. Lucy’s Church Food Pantry.
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