Josephine Pabon

Josephine was born in Brooklyn, NY on February 13, 1939 to Herminia and Delphin Pabon. She was the
middle child of 5 and, according to tales from her mom, she was so beautiful that when taking her out
for a walk, people would stop her on the street to admire Josephine.
Josephine attended the neighborhood elementary, junior, and senior high schools. At age 16 she was
diagnosed with nephritis and had to complete her final years of high school at home with tutors. But
with her unique tenacity, she completed those two years and graduated with her class.
Jo’s health rallied and she was able to join the working world after graduation. She worked in the
accounts department at Stuhmer’s (a baking company) and AIG Insurance. Then she worked for
Marshall & McClenen at the Twin Towers in their accounting department. She retired from there a few
months before the Twin Towers came down.
Anyone who knows Jo, knows that she has always had a fierce, uncompromising love for the Lord. From
a very young age she was completely dedicated to active service for God. As a young adult, she and her
best friend Margie Tapia, would spend Saturdays going door to door in the tenement buildings telling
people about Jesus. Jo was an excellent Sunday School teacher and she, along with Margie, ran an
amazing children’s ministry at their church. Jo lovingly taught God’s Word, sewed costumes for the
children’s Christmas pageants, and for many years she was the church pianist. She was the worst
nightmare of anyone leading church business meetings as she was well acquainted with Roberts Rules of
Order and would loudly challenge anyone who broke them. She enjoyed attending the many
conferences that were offered through church and graduated from Bay Ridge Christian Center’s Bible
Institute.
As her parents aged, Jo was the one who lived with them and looked after them. She was very strong in
her opinions, which were many, and was never shy to express them … loudly. সহ঺঻ Jo never married nor
had children of her own, but she lavishly loved her nieces and nephews. Victor was the first nephew
and she had a special bond with him that continued into adult hood, manifested by their weekly
telephone chats which she cherished. Suzzie was like a baby-doll for her, she was always dressing her
up in frilly clothes. Mitch came along and, again, she was devoted to him, absolutely loved his
unannounced visits, and until his transition to heaven, she faithfully kept in touch with him weekly. Next
came Lizette and Nannette. Although she couldn’t often see them because they lived in Puerto Rico,
she loved them and with the help of Mitch, she kept informed on how they were doing. Then came Kim
and Alizia and once again, she was a Titi who seemed to have an endless supply of love and enthusiasm
for each of their life milestones. When Camille was born, she was a literal miracle of answered prayer
and again, Jo poured out her love on her. Throughout the years of helping raise some of her nieces and
nephews, Jo provided them with all kinds of clothes and gifts, but most of all, love. In these final years
of her life, Jo was able to live with her great niece and nephews in Pennsylvania off and on. The
highlight of her days there was sitting around the dinner table asking each of them to share about their
days. Her quick wit was unmatched, her laughter was infectious and her desire to be connected with
this next generation was a beautiful gift to them.
Among her many talents, Jo was a master seamstress, she knitted many outfits, she crocheted and was
always busy creating something. One of her greatest joys over the years was making her homemade
cards and mailing them to friends and family. She put hours upon hours into creating those cards to
share her love with others! The one thing in life, as we all know, that Jo did NOT conquer was cooking.
But God, being so faithful and knowing His children so well, always provided a means to keep her fed
and oh did she LOVE to eat! She was first to the table and joyfully would exclaim “Buen Provecho!” Jo

also had a very special and deep connection with her sisters. Their love for each other and care for one
another was unmatched.
Jo’s hobbies were many, sewing, knitting, crocheting, and making crafts, but her greatest passion was
loving God. She spent hours studying the Bible and related books. She was always on a quest to serve
God better. Josephine has left a legacy of love – fierce love for family, fierce love for the church and
above all, fierce love for God. … and we all know that she’s probably sitting at the table with Him as we
mourn, asking Him a thousand questions because “He has the podium”. (Private joke)