Josephine Maria Gallo, 97, of Vero Beach, passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love of her family on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2014.
She is survived by her children, Diane DeFrancisci, Pamela Rossano (Thomas) and Albert (Marianne); 10 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren; and sister Lillian (Joseph Signorelli).
She is preceded in death by her sisters, Connie, Rose, Gloria, and Aida, and a brother Joseph.
Gallo was also preceded in death by her husband Albert Gallo, a New York City Police Officer and Mathematics teacher, who she married in 1939 at Saint John’s Church in Brooklyn.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Jan. 01, 1917 to Gaspare and Angela (nee Zuaro) Santoro, Gallo lived in Manhasset, N.Y. for 49 years. She initially moved to Florida in 1997 and to Vero Beach in 2002.
She graduated from Grover Cleveland High School in 1936. While in high school, she received the Roosevelt Memorial Association Founders Medal in recognition of the history award, becoming the first female to receive this prestigious honor.
She earned an AA from Nassau Community College, and a BA and MA in High School Counselor Education from C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University.
A lady who gained the highest respect by all who knew her, Gallo was well known for her grace, compassion and strength. She possessed an endless passion for her family and dedication to the promotion of education and social issues. She also loved history.
Gallo served as a counselor at Great Neck South High School in New York for over 31 years after starting her career in 1937 at the Refined Macaroni Company, her father’s pasta manufacturing plant in Brooklyn.
She was dedicated to important causes, volunteering for the March of Dimes as a young lady. Her efforts resulted in First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt recognizing her leadership in helping to stamp out polio. She also held leadership positions at the Democratic Women’s Club of Indian River County.
The wake will be Thursday, April 24 from 4 to 9 p.m., at John E. Day Funeral Home, 85 Riverside Ave., Red Bank, N.J., and a Mass will be held on Friday, 10 a.m. at Saint Leo the Great Roman Catholic Church, 50 Hurley’s Lane, Lincroft, N.J.
Gallo will be laid to rest beside her husband on April 25 at the Cemetery of the Holy Rood in Westbury, N.Y. Donations to the Scholarship Fund of the Democratic Women’s Club of Indian River County, PO Box 651144, Vero Beach, FL 32965 are appreciated.
Arrangements are by Strunk Funeral Home and Crematory in Vero Beach. A guest book is available at www.strunkfuneralhome.com.
