Obituary of Josephine M. Palma

Josephine M. Palma (née Brigante), a longtime Madison resident, died peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, September 27, 2020 at The Chelsea at Montville Assisted Living. She was 96.

Josephine was born in Morristown on May 28, 1924 to the late Michael and Mary Brigante. She was raised in Morristown in a family of six children. Josephine settled in Madison after her marriage to her beloved husband, the late Anthony Palma on February 9, 1946.

Josephine was a waitress at Morris County Golf Club in Convent Station for 37 years, retiring in 1986. She cherished her time spent with her family and loved to cook traditional Italian Sunday meals for them. Josephine always loved to have a good time and enjoyed playing card games, especially Canasta, with her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren. She was a faith-filled woman and received Communion every Sunday while living at The Chelsea.

Josephine was fiercely independent and lived in her own home in Madison until age 90. She was a loving, strong woman who will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

In addition to her parents, Josephine was predeceased by her beloved husband of 46 years, Anthony Palma in 1992; two brothers, Frank and Alfonso; and three sisters, Grace, Rocci and Antoinette. She is survived by her devoted son, Patrick Palma and his wife, Donna of East Hanover; her daughter-in-law, Kathy Palma; her beloved grandchildren, Patrick Palma, Jr. and his wife, Diane, Melinda Lopez and her husband, Hector and Laura Fern and her husband, Rob; her cherished great-grandchildren, Hector Lopez and his wife, Amber, Anthony Palma, Alec Lopez, Madison Palma, Payton Lopez, Maximus Lopez and Lily Josephine Fern; many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation to celebrate Josephine’s life held on Thursday, October 1, 2020 from 4:00PM to 8:00PM at the Madison Memorial Home, 159 Main Street, Madison. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, October 2, 2020 at 10:00AM at St. Vincent Martyr Church, Madison. For those that wish, you may attend the Funeral Liturgy virtually via live-stream by visiting www.svmnj.org and viewing the Mass on the main webpage of the church beginning at 10:00AM. Interment will be held at St. Vincent’s Cemetery, Madison.

**Visitors to the funeral home are asked to wear masks and practice proper social distancing. In order to maintain a safe number of people in the funeral home, we kindly & respectfully ask that after paying your respects you give others the same opportunity by making your visit brief.**

In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions in Josephine’s memory may be made to The American Cancer Society.