March 18, 1922 – June 18, 2014  •  Resident of Alameda

Born in Berkeley on March 18, 1922, to the late Felix and Rachele (Corbelli) Medaglia (of Verbicarro, Italy) then residing on Pacific Ave nue in Alameda, Josephine passed away peacefully at her current home in Alameda on June 18, 2014, at the age of 92.

Josephine is survived by her loving husband of 53 years, Kenneth G. Crowley; daughter, Patricia Lynn Crowley (Stewart) Nelson; grandson Brint Joseph Stewart and his wife, Audrey Lynn (Crawford) Stewart; great-grandchildren: Travis, Abigail and Daisy Stewart; sister Lorainne (Medaglia) Lazarus of Chicago; beloved cousin Marie (Carlomagno) Mulcahy and Marie’s loving family: Janis and Harold Bond and their children. 

She was preceded in death by her brothers, Joseph and Franklin Medaglia, cousin Salvatore Carlomagno, niece, Cheryl (Medaglia) DeMent Brearcliffe, best friend and sister-in-law Lois K. (Crowley) Cox. Also survived by nieces, their spouses and their children: Sharon (Medaglia) Machado, Tom Medaglia, Carolyn Medaglia, Michael and David Lazarus, Steven, Jefferey and Rodney Cox. Fondly remembered by the Howards near and far, especially Mr. and Mrs. Monahaghn.

Josephine was a 1940 graduate of Alameda High School, after having attended both St. Joseph’s and Porter schools. Her parents and brothers, Joe and Frank, owned and operated many neighborhood grocery stores and gas stations around town. 

A World War II-era tuberculosis survivor, Josephine went on to work in San Francisco as a key punch operator until the 1960s, when she was swept off her feet by Ken, and elected to take up life as a wife and mother, most enthusiastically as a Brownie Troop leader in the Girl Scouts. 

She accompanied her husband upstate-and down on myriad photography trips in support of his artistic vision. She graciously opened her home to host local club meetings as well as N4C club events and competitions. 

She was a long-standing member of the American Red Cross, known primarily for her work in “the Crowley House” distributing food to the local needy three times a week, drawing in her husband, daughter, brothers, son-in-law, and grandson as needed for special projects. 

She was active in the Alameda Bowling League for about 10 years, and (along with her husband) delivered food for Alameda Meals on Wheels for about 20 years. She enjoyed knitting and crocheting and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Josephine’s memory may be made to the American Red Cross, Alameda Meals on Wheels, or the Norberine Association of St. Joseph in Tehachapi, Calif.
Funeral services were held on June 23 at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church and she was laid to rest at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.

Greer Family Mortuary and Cremation services    FD1408
greermortuary.com    865-3755