JOSEPHINE STORTINI "MAMA" 

Josephine was born in the province of Calabria in Italy on November 
11, 1909 to Luigi and Theresa Piazza. She passed away May 31, 
1998. Mom came to live in this country at six months of age along with 
her parents and older brother Frank. The family settled in the "Little 
Italy" section of Tacoma where she resided until her death. Josephine 
became a proud United States citizen in 1970. On July 26, 1925 she 
married Joseph Stortini. They were married 48 years and together 
raised five children. In 1958 Dad and Mom served their first community 
"Spaghetti Feed" fund raising dinner. Over the next 40 years the 
Tacoma community, various organizations and Tacoma School District 
benefited greatly from their many volunteer hours. It is easily estimated 
that their generous efforts raised over a million dollars in contributions. 
Josephine was never more happy than when surrounded by her large, 
loving family. Her home was filled with many family pictures, proudly 
displayed, which she never tired of bragging about. Her most prized 
possession was the closeness shared by each and every one of us. She 
is survived by her children; daughters Vicki Ash, husband Ray, Arlene, 
husband Roy, her sons, Joe, wife Carol, Ken, wife Carolyn and son-in-
law Merle Jenkins. She was blessed with 14 grandchildren and 24 
great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters Mary DiPalma 
and Rose Murphy, husband Tom. Mom was preceded in death by her 
parents, her husband Joe, daughter Gloria Jenkins, brothers Frank and 
Johnny Piazza and sister Margaret Hales. Mom's "OPEN DOOR" 
belief won her the love and admiration of all who were fortunate enough 
to know her. She will be forever remembered for her famous spaghetti 
sauce, which she shared proudly with thousands. The family will forever 
miss her smiles, her hugs and her delicious fried chicken and her very 
special Banana Cream Pie with pink whip cream topping! Services will 
be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday June 4th at St. Rita's Catholic Church 
in Tacoma with burial immediately following at Calvary Cemetery. 
Visitation will be arranged by Gaffney Cassedy Allen and Buckley 
King. Mom, thank you so very much for the strong sense of family you 
instilled in each and every one of our hearts. We are all far better 
people for having had you in our lives. We will forever miss you.... 

Pub Date: 6/2/1998 
Tacoma News Tribune