Josephine Florence Buononato

Josephine Florence (Spennicchia) Buononato, 96, of Boynton Beach, Florida, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, February 8, 2025.

Born on September 5, 1928, in Morristown, NJ, Josephine was the daughter of Biagio and Josephine (Merlino) Spennicchia. Josephine grew up in Wharton, NJ, where the family lived above her dad’s shoe repair shop and she played with her beloved dog Sandy.  She and her sister Antoinette loved their years in Wharton and enjoyed visiting Wharton on recent visits to NJ to reminisce.

Josephine was predeceased by her parents, her beloved husband, Joseph Buononato (1997); her sister Antoinette Barone (2022) and sadly her eldest son, Joseph Buononato Jr (2021).

She leaves behind a large and loving family: her children, Valerie Moravec (Otto), Amy Orrico (John), John Buononato, Blasé Buononato (Katie), Vincent Buononato, and JoAnne Buononato. She was a cherished grandmother to Anthony Mannello (Karen), Jason Orrico (Nicole), Joseph Orrico (Brittany), Dr.  Josephine Starks (Josh), Benedetto Orrico (Brianna), Monica Diffendale (Alex), Thomas Buononato (Lauren) and Dominic Buononato, Jessika Almeida, and Junior Almeida (Fernanda), .  Her legacy continues through her great-grandchildren: Ellie, Cole, and Emerson Mannello, Tucker, Everly, Taylor, Christian, Vanessa, Nella, and Santina Orrico, Jameson Diffendale and Jack Starks, Melanie, James, and Isaac Almeida.

Josephine found joy in the kitchen, cooking for family, friends, neighbors, and the priests at her church. She had a secret ingredient that made everything extra delicious—anchovies. “Don’t tell the kids, or they won’t eat it,” she’d say with a wink. After preparing a feast, she would drink a brandy or her favorite, Riunite Lambrusco wine, to ease her aches and pains.  Every dinner began with a prayer, always followed by blessing the cook.

An artist at heart, Josephine honed her talents at Passaic High School, where she worked on the yearbook committee, contributing photography and layout designs. Known for her striking eyes and petite stature, she made up for height with immense strength and determination. She was deeply involved in her church communities both in Boynton Beach, FL and in Wayne, NJ, where she named Our Lady of the Valley RC Church. She devoted countless hours to church events, cooking for breakfasts after Mass, spaghetti dinners, fundraisers, and annual carnivals—her famous zeppole, which she called “crispellas,” were always a highlight. She even supervised the painting of the carnival clowns.

A passionate advocate for the unborn, Josephine instilled in her children the importance of protecting life. The overturning of Roe v. Wade in June 2022 was a moment of triumph for her, a victory for the lives she fought to protect. Her devotion to the Blessed Mother was unwavering; she prayed The Rosary every morning after Mass and again each night before bed. A rosary was always within reach.

Josephine was a devoted member of numerous church organizations, including the Council of Catholic Women (CCW), The Legion of Mary, The Blue Army, The Columbiettes, and The Madonna Guild. Her artistic talents shone in her work designing programs for church fashion shows, talent shows, and arts and crafts fairs, as well as painting backdrops for performances.

However, her greatest artistry was in the kitchen. If the church was hosting a meal, she was cooking, often alongside her husband, Joe. Holidays and birthdays in the Buononato home were filled with the rich aromas of her legendary dishes—eggplant parmesan, onion pie, baked ziti, and countless other homemade specialties. Nothing compared to the way she woke her family on Sunday mornings: the smell of onions, garlic, and basil simmering on the stove, signaling the start of Sunday gravy.

Josephine’s love, faith, and unwavering strength will live on in the hearts of those who knew her. Her family finds comfort knowing she is now at peace, watching over them with her rosary in hand.