SOUTHAMPTON – Josephine T. (Mocarski) Gerlip, 97, of Middle Road, died April 1, 2014 at the Linda Manor Nursing facility surrounded by her family. Born in Holyoke April 13, 1916 she was the daughter of the late Jozef and Pelagia (Rzewska) Mocarski who were born in Russia.
She graduated from West St Grammar School in Holyoke and attended Mater Dolorosa Catholic High School where she was voted “Most Athletic” of her class. Having excelled in both Penmanship and Math she quickly got a job at Lesnow Manufacturing. Josephine later worked for the Advertising Corp of America. She was a devoted church communicant of Mater Dolorosa Church in Holyoke and then Blessed Sacrament Church in Westfield. Josephine was a member of “The Jolly Get-Together Club” in Southampton. As a member of the Apostolic Schoenstatt Marian Movement, she was the Coordinator for the Schoenstatt Rosary Campaign for many years, crocheting hundreds of rosary beads.
Josephine was an avid outdoors person who enjoyed spending time fishing with her husband Frank at the Quabbin. Every summer Josephine looked forward to growing a large vegetable garden and surrounding her home with beautiful flower beds. An avid cook, Josephine was known for creating an array of traditional Polish foods along with canning fruits, vegetables and jams from the bounty of her own backyard. She was also passionate about traveling with her husband to Florida, Yellowstone Park, Portugal, Nova Scotia, and trips to Misquamicut Beach or the Catskill Game Farm with her children. Josephine believed in old-fashioned large family picnics where her family and friends could gather and eat for hours. Each year, family gathered to admire the lovely Christmas villages Josephine would create under the tree.
She was predeceased by her devoted husband of 65 years, Frank; her brothers, Adam, John, Michael and Zigmond and her sister, Veronica Karbowsky. She is survived by her sister, Anna Seiffert. Josephine leaves her sons, Joseph Gerlip and his wife Judy, and Ronald Gerlip and his wife Linda; her daughter, Francine Pratt and her husband Donald. Josephine was the cherished grandmother of Jennifer Bucci, Jeffrey Gerlip, Joshua Gerlip, Stephanie Hebel, Allison Niejadlik, Adam Gerlip, Sarah Pratt and Katherine Coleman. She was a great-grandmother to Dylan Bucci, Madeleine Gerlip, Steven and Shiloh DeGray, Zinnia Hebel and Madison Murphy, and several nieces and nephews.
Calling Hours at the Czelusniak Funeral Home of Northampton, 173 North Street, Northampton will be on Sunday afternoon from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Funeral Services will be Monday morning from the Czelusniak Funeral Home of Northampton at 8:15 a.m. with a Liturgy of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Blessed Sacrament Church, 127 Holyoke Road, Westfield. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Northampton.
Memorial donations may be made to the Perkins Library American Foundation for the Blind.
