Josephine Anne Pugliese passed away peacefully on Feb. 11. She was 94. Mama Jo had been a resident of Life and Love II in Citrus Springs, Florida for the last 2½ years. A private ceremony was held for the immediate family and residents of the facility. After cremation, she will be buried with her late husband, Dominic Pugliese, at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell. The longtime Dunnellon resident dedicated most of her life to raising her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also was a kindergarten teacher at St. Bonaventure School in West Paterson, N.J. She was born on Dec. 26, 1931 in West Paterson. She married Dominic Pugliese on June 26, 1955 and lived in Little Falls, N.J., before moving to Florida in July 1969 where she lived in Rainbow Lakes Estates for 47 years.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Dominic Pugliese.

She is survived by her children: Dominic Pugliese Jr. of Viera, Florida, Audrey Beem (Russell) of Dunnellon, and Robert Pugliese of Lakewood, Ohio; her grandchildren: Amanda Dixon (Jason Fasciglione) of Dunnellon, Alicia Peterson (James) of Andrews, N.C., Victoria Pugliese of Viera and Alexandra Pugliese of Tampa; and her great-grandchildren: Dominique Kiley (Gavin) of Mount Juliet, Tenn., James Dixon and Joey Dixon of Dunnellon, Jasmine Peterson of Andrews, N.C.

Donations to Life and Love II, 9416 North Gentle Breeze Loop, Citrus Springs, FL, 34434, are appreciated.