Josephine L. Cappadonna Contra, 96, of Mansfield, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, after living a long rewarding life centered on her faith and family.

Josephine was born July 28, 1928 in Mansfield to Italian immigrants, the late Sebastian Cappadonna and Rosina (Marchi) Cappadonna Altomonte. She attended St. Peter’s schools and graduated high school in 1946.

After high school, Josephine worked as a bookkeeper at Roger’s Jeweler and later at Fox Jeweler both in downtown Mansfield. Josephine married Benjamin J. Contra on Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 1950.

In the early years of her marriage, her most important job was raising her five children. Storytime, surrounded by her little ones, was always valued over chores that could wait until tomorrow. She was a wonderful cook, with specialties of spaghetti and meatballs and homemade cherry and apple pies, often using apples from a tree in her own backyard. She supported Ben with his union work, volunteered with scouts, church festivals, parish bake sales, St. Peter’s Mothers Club, the school of religion program, and was a lifelong member of The Daughters of Isabella.

In later years, she served on many committees at St. Peter’s Parish, was a Eucharistic minister, a Stephen Minister, volunteered at EMPAC and the hospital, was a Board of Elections poll worker, and a US Census taker. In 1985, she joined Ben selling real estate, at Brown Realty and later at Haring Realty. She enjoyed swimming, aerobics, water aerobics, and painting classes at the Mansfield Art Center. She also enjoyed being outside and tending to her tomato plants, pruning her rose bushes, or just watching for butterflies. She especially delighted in entertaining the grandchildren with her accordion when they came to visit, telling stories from her past, and offering them special treats.

Josephine enjoyed traveling. In 1993, she and Ben traveled to Italy where they had the opportunity of meeting several family members near Lucca (the town where her mother was born) and others living outside Rome.

Throughout her life she was committed to her faith with a deep devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, His blessed Mother Mary, and a strong belief in the practice of the corporal works of mercy. She was a deep, contemplative thinker, always leaving time for quiet reflection after reading philosophical and religious books and articles.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death in 2005 by her loving husband of 54 years Benjamin; her siblings: infant sister Rose (1939), Ernest (1987), Esther Sumergrad (2007), Johanna Cappadonna (2019), and Marianne (2024); son-in-law Michael Sullivan; granddaughter Maureen Sullivan; high school English teacher and lifelong friend Sister Mariam Clare Roesler, OSF; and many relatives from both sides of the family.

Josephine is survived by her five loving children: Benita Sullivan of Strongsville, Marianne (David) Bohne of San Diego, CA., Christine (Al) Berger of Mansfield, Annette (Dale) Gracon of Fairview Park, Benjamin J. Contra, Jr. of Huntsville (partner Kelley Ann Comer); eight grandchildren: Mary Elizabeth (Steve) Rassi, James Berger (Caitlin Blake), Andrew Berger (Maggie Mills), Rachel Berger, Gabrielle (Sam) Lempke, Arin (Eric) Gile, Alexandra (Peter) Toth, and Carissa Contra; and twelve great-grandchildren: Michael and Sara Sullivan, Audrina and Briana Rassi, Adelaide, Lauchlan and Cillian Blake-Berger, Isla and August Berger, Elliott and James Gile, and Sammy Lempke; nieces Jo Ann (Brucato) Barlow, Cynthia (Contra) Peters and Susan (Sumergrad) Julius; cousin Gino Colace; partner of her late sister Johanna, Lynne Zaharako; and many relatives both in the states and in Italy.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 14, 2024 from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m., at Herlihy Funeral Home, 173 Park Ave. W. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, November 15, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 60 S. Mulberry Street. Josephine will be laid to rest next to her husband in Mansfield Catholic Cemetery immediately following.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate 1433 Essington Rd, Joliet, IL 60435 www.jolietfranciscans.org; St. Peter’s Catholic Church Development Office 104 West First St. Mansfield, OH 44902 www.mansfieldstpeters.org; or Western Reserve Hospice PO Box 72101, Cleveland OH 44192 www.hopicewr.org.

The family would like to thank the staff and her compassionate caregivers at Wedgewood Estates of Mansfield where Josephine resided for the last three years and to Hospice of the Western Reserve for their care over the last several months, especially Nurse Sonia and Aide Kristee.

“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me even if he dies will live and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.” ~ John 11: 25-26. Josephine’s strong faith guided her throughout her life.

Herlihy Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements and online condolences may be made by visiting www.herlihyfh.com

Funeral Home: Herlihy Funeral Home

Website: www.herlihyfh.com