Josephine R. Molodovitch

Josephine R. Molodovitch, longtime Pennsauken resident passed away on Wednesday, May 17th, 2023. She was 93. Jo (Josephine Rose) was born July 26th 1929, in Pittsburgh PA to Italian parents. Her mother, Evaline, was Second Generation Italian American and her father, Ercole (Harry), immigrated to America with nothing. Ercole built a thriving tailor shop and moved his young family, now complete with Jo's siblings, Frank and Connie, to Atlantic City, NJ. As a young woman, Jo spent her mornings on the beaches, days working in the grand hotels, and her nights in the dance halls. She had many marriage proposals in that time, but eventually a young Navy Sailor, Joseph (Joe) Molodovitch, won her heart. The couple married at Haddon Hall in Atlantic City in 1952, and shortly after Joe was assigned to San Diego, CA, which they loved. Unfortunately, they were moved again almost immediately to Memphis, TN, which Jo hated. There the couple had their first child, a daughter named Lynda Jo in 1953. After Joe was discharged from the Navy, they returned to NJ and in 1958 their second daughter, Lisa Jo, was born, completing the family. In 1960 they relocated to Pennsauken, NJ for Joe's work. There they built their home, where Jo and Joe spent the remainder of their lives.

Jo spent her days raising her daughters, taking care of the home, taking part in the Pennsauken Women's Club, participating in the local bowling league, and running a small tailor business. She made all of her daughters' clothes, as well as custom occasion and wedding dresses, using the skills she learned from her father. In the 1980's and 90's she started her porcelain doll business, Almost Real Porcelain Dolls, where she made custom dolls, as well as taught classes to other enthusiasts. She created a community of friends in her basement that withstood nearly 20 years.

In 1990, Jo added "Grandma" to her list of titles. Her granddaughter, Amylynne, gave her the nickname "Da", that many know her by to this day. Two more grandchildren followed, Bethanne and Patrick Joseph, as well as an "adoptive" grandchild, Kevin, and she has been "Da" ever since.
 

After 53 years of marriage, Joseph passed in 2014, but Jo didn't stop moving. She continued with her doll classes, going to lunches with friends and family, and spending many hours with her grandchildren. In 2021 she became a great grandmother to her namesake, Josephine Eve, who she doted on constantly. Her great grandsons, Ilya James and Dimitri Mark, followed. Jo's life was filled with joy from her great grandkids and she lived in her home until the end.

Jo will live on in her daughters, Lynda and Lisa (Jim), her grandchildren, Amylynne (Andrew), Bethanne (Pat), Patrick Joseph, and Kevin, and her great-grandchildren Josephine Eve, Ilya James and Dimitri Mark. She is also remembered by 22 nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, friends, and "adopted" family.

Relatives and friends are invited to her viewing Wednesday, May 24th from 10 to 11 am at the Gaskill-Brown Funeral Home, 33 West Maple Avenue, Merchantville. Funeral service will follow at 11 am. Interment will be in Harleigh Cemetery, Camden. The family is asking everyone to please wear their Sunday Best to the service in Purples and Pinks to help celebrate Jo's unending fashion sense and constant exuberance.

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