It is with great sadness that the family of Josephine Ann (Tidona) Privitera announces her passing on February 12, 2018. Josephine was born to Joseph and Carmela Tidona on June 27, 1926. She is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Carl "Red", and her children, Joseph Sr. (Kelly), Rosana Biondo (Anthony), Carl II (Mary), Anthony II (Tammy). She is also remembered by her grandchildren, Carl III (Caroline), Joseph II (Kaitlin), John Alex, Anthony III, Nicholas, Vincent, Nathaniel, Anthony Biondo, and Isabella, as well as by her great-grandchildren Liliana and Sylvester and two more on the way. Josephine was predeceased by her sisters Rose (Tidona) Spalitto (Pete) and Mary (Tidona) Guastello (George).

Josephine was a loving daughter, sister, aunt, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. She was a graduate of St. Teresa's College. She was proud of her Italian heritage and was well known in the Italian community as Miss Jo, the kindergarten teacher at Holy Rosary. She was proud of her students and loved and remembered them her whole life. Josephine wanted to send her love to all of her family, especially her niece Joann Spalitto Walton, who was like a sister to her, and her cousin Marie Cascone Messina, who was close to her heart.

Josephine first met Carl at Holy Rosary Church while making their first communion, and they were later reunited and married there on February 11, 1956. She and Carl had a wonderful life together while raising four children, acquiring real estate, and running successful businesses. In 1974, they bought the old Monarch Electric Co. and changed the name to Mark One Electric Co., Inc. This had been a sense of pride to Josephine, and she was a very supportive spouse behind the scenes and encouraged Carl in all his decisions. Josephine and Carl were also very active in the Republican Party and attended several inaugurations in Washington D.C. They loved to dance together and were known as "Fred and Ginger" on the dance floor. Josephine's favorite song to dance to was 'O Sole Mio.

Josephine was a parishioner of Visitation, as well as a lifelong parishioner of Holy Rosary. She was active in the Women's City Club, Woodside Racket Club, and Mothers Club at Rockhurst High School. She was a lifetime member of the Society of Ragusa Americana, where her father Joseph was a founding member. She was also a member of the Daughters of Columbus.

Josephine had a passion for cooking and Sunday family dinners. She never forgot a birthday or holiday and was always very giving and generous to her family. She loved to play cards with the Sub Deb's Club of the North End, who were her friends for life.

The family of Josephine would like to extend a special thank you to all her care givers in her final years: Bridget, April, April, Kyla, Tieka, Heather, Haley, Alicia, Sheree, Shell and Nancy J.

The pallbearers for the services will be her eight grandsons.

Visitation will be 9 a.m. with the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 17, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 911 E. Missouri Ave., Kansas City, MO 64106. Burial will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery. Instead of flowers, donations may be sent to Holy Rosary Parish in her memory.

Condolences may be offered at www.passantinobros.com