Josephine A. Lavan

Josephine A. Lavan (nee Manto) of Kenilworth, New Jersey passed away surrounded by family at age 92 on Tuesday, December 26, 2023. She joins the love of her life, Thomas J. Lavan, Sr., and beloved siblings Amalia Caprio, Peter Manto, Elvira DeAngelis, Frank Manto and Perry Manto.

She is survived by her children, Karen DeMaio (Michael), Jeffery Lavan (Donna) and Thomas Lavan, Jr. (Lois); her grandchildren Nicole DeMaio, Alexa DeMaio, Justin Lavan (Emerald Sheay), Julia Lavan, Molly Escalante (Daniel), Thomas Lavan III and Patrick Lavan; and great-grandchildren Charlotte and Henry.

Born in Newark, New Jersey in 1931, Josephine, “Pippi”, was the youngest of six children. After meeting her husband, Thomas, on a blind date, they spent 15 wonderful years together before his untimely death in 1968. Josephine loved creating educational moments out of everyday events and she put those skills to good use as a teacher at St. John Grammar School (Orange), St. Theresa School (Kenilworth) and Hillside Public Schools. After retirement, Josephine enjoyed spending time with the lights of her life, her grandchildren, and kept everyone on their toes with brainteasers, crossword puzzles, and trivia questions. She was a dedicated member of her community, serving as a Board Member of the Kenilworth Little League Women’s Auxiliary and volunteering at St. John the Apostle food pantry (Linden). “Aunt Jo” will be loved and missed by all who knew her.

Friends and family can pay their respects on Friday, December 29th from 3:00-7:00pm at Higgins and Bonner Echo Lake Funeral Home, 582 Springfield Ave., Westfield, NJ. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Theresa Church in Kenilworth, NJ at 10:30am on Saturday, December 30th with repast to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

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