Josephine A. Evangelista

Worcester - Josephine A. "Jo-Ann" (Howe) Evangelista, 92, died peacefully on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, at Notre Dame Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Worcester after a short period of declining health. She was born and raised in Worcester, the daughter of Roland and Gladys (Smallridge) Howe and graduated from Commerce High School, class of 1949.

Jo-Ann married the late Anthony L. Evangelista in 1952 and settled in West Boylston. She devoted her life to raising her children and maintaining a beautiful home for her and her family. She also successfully ran a children's clothing store in West Boylston, Jean & Joey's in the early '70s. Jo-Ann was a past member of St. Michael's-On-The-Heights church in Worcester. She was a gifted artist and enjoyed expressing herself through her watercolor and oil paintings. Her summer home in Wells Beach, Maine was truly her "happy place;" where she enjoyed collecting beach glass during her walks there and hosting family and friends - her door was always open, ready to welcome anyone.

Jo-Ann was a woman of many jobs and many friends. A true patriot who loved her country and political debates around the dinner table. She also enjoyed the occasional trip to the casino, her Friday night card games with her girlfriends, afternoons with the "Lunch Bunch," and many trips and travels in between. She found immense joy in spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whom she loved dearly.

Jo-Ann was predeceased by her husband of 32 years, Anthony L. Evangelista in 1984. She will be lovingly missed and remembered by her sons, Rickey Evangelista and his wife, Sandra of Barre and Joseph Evangelista and his wife, Jo-Anne of West Boylston; her daughter, Jeanna Brown and her husband, Wallace of North Hampton, NH; her sister, Betty Celularo and her husband, Raymond of Worcester and their children, Linda and Michael; her grandchildren, Daniel, Bethany, Alex, Tony, Maria and Ross; her great-grandchildren, Thomas, Lucas, Emma, Eva, Bode and Luna; as well as several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother, Richard Howe and her aunt, Ruth Smallridge.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial gathering from 10 to 11:30 a.m. immediately followed by a memorial service on Thursday, June 22, 2023, at Miles-Sterling Funeral and Tribute Center, 100 Worcester Rd., Sterling. Burial will follow at Hope Cemetery, Worcester. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306. To share a memory or offer an online condolence visit the "Tribute Wall" on this page.