Josie Farinella

Josie Farinella (nee Di Gangi) age 74, of Wayne passed away peacefully on Friday, March 12, 2021 while receiving the loving care of her family.

Josie was born and raised in Nociazzi, a small town outside the city of Palermo on the Island of Sicily, Italy. Josie was the oldest of three children to Salvatore and Michelina Di Gangi. As a young girl, Josie apprenticed in a local salon and began her career as a professional hairdresser by her early teens. On September 24, 1967, at just twenty years old, Josie left Sicily to build a better life in the United States. Upon arriving in the USA, she settled in Paterson, NJ.

Two years later, Josie returned to her homeland to marry the love of her life, Nino Farinella, on August 14, 1969. The newlyweds both returned to the United States on October 26, 1969 where they purchased a home on Glover Avenue in Paterson and welcomed the births of their two children. Josie soon began to work as hair dresser alongside her sister, Tita, at her salon in Paterson, Tita’s Beauty Nest. Josie and her sister were in business together for 35 years until her retirement, in 2015. In 1986, Josie and Nino purchased a home in Wayne where they’ve lived ever since.

Josie had an innate and intuitive sense of creativity which she channeled into everything she did— from her cooking to her prodigious knitting, crocheting, and flower arranging, Josie excelled at creating artful and heartfelt interpretations using traditional techniques handed down from generations of her elders.

Some of her happiest moments came from her full time immersion into creativity with the establishment of her craft business, Hand and Heart, which she independently ran for 30 years. She thrived in the creative flow of her basement studio where she prepared flower arrangements and one of a kind knitted clothing for her open house events during the Easter and Christmas seasons. Twice a year, Josie would transform her beloved home into a gallery where dozens of clients, friends, and family members would gather to view and purchase her work, enjoy her amazing cooking and baked goods, and celebrate her creativity.

Josie was a vibrant loving person who built her life around empathy and compassion. She was a selfless caregiver and always ready to be of service to anyone in need. She was a devoted mother, always present and whole-heartedly interested in watching her children grow. She loved  small joyful details of life like afternoon coffee at her kitchen table, Sunday dinners with her family, and sappy love songs. She loved laughing but also cried when she felt joy. She loved being alive and well. She had a special place in everyone’s heart and will truly be missed by everyone who knew her.

Josie is survived by her husband Nino Farinella of Wayne, one daughter Michelle Farinella of Wayne, one son Adriano Farinella of Easton, PA, two sisters; Tita Lionti of Wayne, and Silvana Abate and her husband Tito of Wayne, two nieces; Jennifer Lionti Carr, and Sabrina Lionti Rosendahl, and one nephew, Anthony Abate.  She was predeceased by her parents Salvatore and Michelina Di Gangi.