Josephine Theresa Novak, (nee: Mascari) of Saint Charles, MO, born in the City of St. Louis in 1924 and passed away Friday, December 20, 2019 at the age of 94. Beloved wife of the late John "Red" G. Issler; cherished daughter of the late Frances and Salvatore Mascari. Devoted mother of Joann E. Meyer and James E. (Heather) Issler; loving grandmother of David (Kristen) Issler, Kristin Issler, Jennifer (Geoff) Birger, and Shawna (David) Cass; treasured great-grandmother of Ava, Dylan and Kyle; valued aunt of Michael (Judy) Rivera, Ronnie (Vonderahe) Rivera, Linda (Tom) Vrabel, Rita (Mike) Surgeon, Carl (Pam) Rivera, Maria (Arthur) Grix, David Mascari; and many great-nephews and nieces. Josephine is also preceded in death by her two brothers, Joseph (Millie) Mascari and Michael Mascari; four sisters, Ann (late Manuel) Rivera, Sister (Augustine Mascri) Teresita, Anna Mascari, and Josephine Mascari; and two nephews, Manuel Rivera. Jr. and Mark Mascari.
Josephine was raised in the City of St. Louis and sometimes shared stories of her young adult years spending time with her sister Ann, going to Casa Loma Ballroom and taking the streetcar on rainy days, otherwise walking everywhere they needed to go. At an early age she started helping out with responsibilities at home and working. Some of her first jobs were working in a pickle factory, a couple egg factories, and a pharmaceutical company. She married in her late twenties and enjoyed vacations boating with her family. Josephine was widowed at a young age with two young children and began working several jobs including 15 years or so in the corporate office for the grocer Kroger.
Josephine later was a member of the Italian Club and active member of her church, St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church, enjoyed cooking for friends and family gatherings, entertaining, polka dancing, games like solitaire, Bingo, Pokeno, and other card games, traveling, senior clubs, spending time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews and loved sharing memories through story-telling. She would dress with makeup and jewelry every day and show her generosity through giving love and gifts. She was strong, resilient, and determined to live life to the fullest even up to the past week.
Memorials may be made in Josephine’s name to Catholic Charities of St. Louis:
https://www.ccstl.org/get-involved/donate/.