WESTFIELD – Josephine Ann Delekta (Jo Ann), 96, (1930-2026) was called Home and passed into Eternal Life, on May 2, 2026.
She was born in Garfield, NJ, on April 6th, 1930, to John and Eva Glogiewicz, who came from Poland. They learned English, managed a successful business, and ultimately purchased a home to raise their children. Their drive and determination were traits that Josephine exemplified in her everyday life.
Josephine resided at Hampden Village, in Westfield, since 2003. However, the majority of her life was spent in NJ. She retired at age 68 from St. John’s School of Business in West Springfield, MA, where she worked as the Administrative Secretary for the Director.
Throughout her life, Josephine reflected on the times life was so rewarding. Her years at Garfield High School stood out as a real highlight. She was voted “Best Dancer” in her yearbook, as well as being chosen to be cheerleading “Captain” throughout her high school years. Attending the football games with her closest girlfriends Bernice, Jean, Josie, and Flo held great importance to her because her brother, John Glogiewicz, was a football star and all-around star athlete. She spoke often of how proud it made her feel to be in such a spotlight.
Josephine put her “A” game into everything she did. She was smart, creative, and strong. Years ago, she loaded her station wagon with patio bricks and materials from the local lumberyard and created a beautiful patio and rock garden in the Verona, NJ, family backyard. Beautifying was in her nature. She worked hard at everything. Many things were very difficult especially raising four children on her own and working multiple jobs to make ends meet. Josephine had a special light around her, and she could intuitively see this in others as well. She was an exceptionally gifted woman. Each of her four children inherited something wonderful from her. Josephine’s eldest daughter, Elaine, was blessed with art talent. She encouraged that talent by entering her paintings in art shows and used her station wagon as a moving van loaded with canvasses. When Josephine’s son, John, was born, he had numerous difficulties. However, after a tragic dirt-bike accident, at age 13, John manifested an amazing wood-working talent. Again, Josephine used her station wagon to haul slabs of exotic hard woods so he could create his masterpiece tables. Antique collecting was a favorite hobby they enjoyed together.
There wasn’t anything Josephine wouldn’t do for her children. With her daughter, Susan, traveling and discovering various places together created a special bond between them. Among the most beautiful was visiting Italy and cruises to Bermuda. Daily conversations strengthened a deep spiritual connection between them. With her daughter, Marilyn, she relied on her administrative leadership to handle decisions, schedule services, review and process paperwork whenever needed. Aside from her children, Josephine had her own talents. She had a tenacity to learn how to do things on her own. Fiercely independent, she often fixed household problems on her own. She patched driveway cracks, spackled ceilings, and used her common sense as a guide in making good decisions. She was energetic, loved all the episodes of Dancing With The Stars, was a ballroom dancer herself, and loved watching The Bachelor and the British series, Downton Abbey – even buying the entire series. Josephine pursued rug-making classes and hand-stitched beautiful Oriental Rugs – 8 in all.
She had an infectious laugh and was always bright with energy and enthusiasm. In her later years, her faith in God and love of Jesus became stronger. Josephine’s heart and mind were touched by Father Cedric Pisegna’s weekly TV program, called “Live With Passion.” Fr. Cedric is a Catholic Priest who professes “touching lives and saving souls.” When Fr. Cedric actually got on the telephone and talked to Josephine, it was a highlight of her life to share a conversation with this amazing priest. In addition, tuning in to watch Joyce Meyer’s TV program, “Enjoying Everyday Life” followed by praying the rosary on the Catholic Network, EWTN, at 3:00 p.m., became a daily routine.
It was losing eyesight in the last few years of Josephine’s life that was the most difficult challenge to accept. On May 2nd, 2026, God called her home. Josephine leaves three loving daughters: Elaine Kurie and her husband, Randy, from Sparta, NJ; Marilyn Beardslee, from Westfield, MA and Susan Garner, from Enfield, CT; her son, John, predeceased her in 1999. In addition, she leaves her loving grandchildren: Kevin, and his girlfriend, Basia; Kristen and her husband, Ask; Joyce, Gina and her husband, Corey; a beautiful great-granddaughter, Chloe, and precious great-grandson, Aksel.
Josephine was predeceased by her four brothers: Joseph, John, Chet, and Stanley, and a sister, Mary, who died before Josephine was born. She leaves many nephews and nieces, who fondly call her “Auntie Josie.”
Visiting hours will be held on Friday, May 8th, 2026, at 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m., with Prayer at 1:30 p.m., at Firtion-Adams Funeral Home, 76 Broad Street, Westfield, MA 01085 (413-562-6244).
