The family settled in Wilmerding, Pennsylvania in the period 1910-1912 where many other members of the Muro, Scotti, and Ruocco family lived.
Letizia had five more children after arriving in the U.S. She passed away in 1921. Josie helped care for her siblings until her father married Rosina Aiello Marasco, a young widow.
Soon Josie had more siblings and many household chores to attend to. She managed to successfully complete all her schooling and after graduating 8th grade learned how to sew from family members.
In 1929 she came up to Brooklyn, New York in search of work. While staying with relatives in Dyker Heights, she was introduced to Sabato Serrapede, who had recently arrived from Agropoli. After one year of courtship they married in 1930.
Josie had three children by Sabato: Emily Leatrice (1931-2011). Gerald (1938-1941), and Sabbatino.
In 1960 Josie and Sabato achieved their long time dream of buying a home of their own in Dyker Heights. The hospitality they had offered while living in their small apartment was now expanded and relatives from Wilmerding often came to stay. Josie retired from her job as a garment worker/sewing machine operator in 1975. In 1977 she and Sabato returned to Italy for one more visit with family.
Josie suffered a stroke in 1992 after which she was diagnosed as having Alzheimers. She passed away on January 16, 1995. The funeral service was held at Joseph Sessa & Sons, Brooklyn, NY with a mass offered at Regina Pacis Shrine Church. She is interred in the same vault as her husband at Resurrection Cemetery in a vault situated in The Garden of the Little Flower.
Josie's brothers and sisters born to her mother Letizia Scotti Muro were:
Peter
Rose
Philomena
Ernest
Louis
The brothers and sisters born to her mother Rosina (Rose)Aiello Marasco Muro were:
John Marasco*
Albino "Beno" Muro
Raymond "Raymie" Muro
Amerigo "Igo" Muro
Sylvia Muro
Angeline Assunta "Susie" Muro Falleroni
The Muro children grew up calling each other brother and sister. There was no differentiation made between who were the children of Letizia and who the children of Rosina were. Nicola ensured that all the children would love and be close to each other. It also facilitated the children relating to Rosina as their mother. She was called Mother Rose by the entire family.
*John Marasco born born May 14, 1916 (Italy)-February, 1987 Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. His father was Ricciardo Marasco.
Sources
1. Marriage Certificate of Josephine Muro and Sabato Serrapede. Certificate #3212, NYC Municipal Archives.
2. 1920, 1930 and 1940 Federal Census records.
3. Research among various Ship Manifest records underway.
4. Discussions with my Mother, the late Emily L. Serrapede 2009-2011. Josephine was my Grandmother.
5. Declaration of Intent #183840 for Sabato Serrapede, State of NY, Eastern District of New York, Kings County, Brooklyn, NY. Search for Naturalization papers in progress.
Memorial Manager's Note: This bio is a work in progress. Edits &/or corrections will be made as information becomes available.
Most Recent Bio Update: 3-13-2014
The family settled in Wilmerding, Pennsylvania in the period 1910-1912 where many other members of the Muro, Scotti, and Ruocco family lived.
Letizia had five more children after arriving in the U.S. She passed away in 1921. Josie helped care for her siblings until her father married Rosina Aiello Marasco, a young widow.
Soon Josie had more siblings and many household chores to attend to. She managed to successfully complete all her schooling and after graduating 8th grade learned how to sew from family members.
In 1929 she came up to Brooklyn, New York in search of work. While staying with relatives in Dyker Heights, she was introduced to Sabato Serrapede, who had recently arrived from Agropoli. After one year of courtship they married in 1930.
Josie had three children by Sabato: Emily Leatrice (1931-2011). Gerald (1938-1941), and Sabbatino.
In 1960 Josie and Sabato achieved their long time dream of buying a home of their own in Dyker Heights. The hospitality they had offered while living in their small apartment was now expanded and relatives from Wilmerding often came to stay. Josie retired from her job as a garment worker/sewing machine operator in 1975. In 1977 she and Sabato returned to Italy for one more visit with family.
Josie suffered a stroke in 1992 after which she was diagnosed as having Alzheimers. She passed away on January 16, 1995. The funeral service was held at Joseph Sessa & Sons, Brooklyn, NY with a mass offered at Regina Pacis Shrine Church. She is interred in the same vault as her husband at Resurrection Cemetery in a vault situated in The Garden of the Little Flower.
Josie's brothers and sisters born to her mother Letizia Scotti Muro were:
Peter
Rose
Philomena
Ernest
Louis
The brothers and sisters born to her mother Rosina (Rose)Aiello Marasco Muro were:
John Marasco*
Albino "Beno" Muro
Raymond "Raymie" Muro
Amerigo "Igo" Muro
Sylvia Muro
Angeline Assunta "Susie" Muro Falleroni
The Muro children grew up calling each other brother and sister. There was no differentiation made between who were the children of Letizia and who the children of Rosina were. Nicola ensured that all the children would love and be close to each other. It also facilitated the children relating to Rosina as their mother. She was called Mother Rose by the entire family.
*John Marasco born born May 14, 1916 (Italy)-February, 1987 Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. His father was Ricciardo Marasco.
Sources
1. Marriage Certificate of Josephine Muro and Sabato Serrapede. Certificate #3212, NYC Municipal Archives.
2. 1920, 1930 and 1940 Federal Census records.
3. Research among various Ship Manifest records underway.
4. Discussions with my Mother, the late Emily L. Serrapede 2009-2011. Josephine was my Grandmother.
5. Declaration of Intent #183840 for Sabato Serrapede, State of NY, Eastern District of New York, Kings County, Brooklyn, NY. Search for Naturalization papers in progress.
Memorial Manager's Note: This bio is a work in progress. Edits &/or corrections will be made as information becomes available.
Most Recent Bio Update: 3-13-2014
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Josephine Serrapede
1909 - 1995