Josephine Philomena Lucia Calabrese, lovingly known as “Meme,” passed away peacefully at the age of 96, surrounded by the love of her family.

Born in 1930 in New York City, Josephine was the proud daughter of Italian immigrants who came to America seeking a better life. Raised during the Great Depression, she carried with her the values of hard work, resilience, faith, and devotion to family—values that defined her throughout her life.

Josephine met her beloved husband, Oriase ("Ozzie") Lavoie, at a USO dance in Springfield, MA in the early 1950s. Their love story began with a simple invitation for ice cream, and from that moment forward, they built a life together rooted in love, commitment, and family. They were married in 1951 and shared a lifetime together raising four children and creating a home filled with warmth and tradition.

Meme was the heart and center of her family. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, she dedicated her life to caring for those she loved. She was the steady presence who made everything work – preparing daily family dinners, hosting holiday gatherings, and creating a home where everyone felt welcome.

She was deeply involved in her children’s lives, serving as a Girl Scout and Boy Scout troop leader, supporting school and community activities, and always showing up with quiet strength and encouragement. She took pride in the success of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and nothing brought her more joy than watching her family grow.

An avid reader throughout her life, Meme rarely went without a book in hand. She especially enjoyed mysteries and spy novels and even shared a special “book club” tradition with her family, exchanging books and discussing them together. Her curiosity and love of learning stayed with her throughout her life.

Remarkably, Josephine maintained extraordinary mental sharpness well into her nineties. She had an exceptional memory and remained engaged, thoughtful, and inquisitive until the very end. In keeping with her lifelong generosity and spirit of giving, her brain has been donated to the Harvard Brain Bank to support research on cognitive longevity.

Josephine also brought wisdom and practicality to her family’s everyday life. With a background as a bookkeeper, she served as the family’s trusted advisor, managing finances with care and offering sound, thoughtful guidance.

Those who knew Meme will remember her calm demeanor, her positive outlook, and her quiet strength. She was rarely in a bad mood, listened more than she spoke, and offered advice that was both thoughtful and grounded. She approached life with patience, grace, and resilience, often reminding others with a smile, “Getting old is not for wimps.”

She also had a well-known love of sweets that never faded. Even in her final days, she found joy in simple pleasures – sharing chocolate eclairs and Boston cream donuts with family, a fitting reflection of the sweetness she carried throughout her life.

In her final conversations, Josephine shared how immensely proud she was of her family. Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were her greatest accomplishment. Her message to all of them was simple and enduring: take care of your family and take care of each other.

Josephine is survived by her four children, Denise Panaia, Joseph Lavoie, Sr., Claudette L'Huillier, and Daniel Lavoie, her nine grandchildren,Jaime Panaia-Rodi, Camille Lavoie, Joseph Lavoie, Jr., Matthew Lavoie, Sr., Michael Lavoie, Isabelle L'Huillier, Nico L'Huillier, Jacquiline Lavoie and Colton Lavoie and her six great-grandchildren, Lincoln Panaia-Rodi, Marquise Lavoie, Malia Lavoie, Elizabeth Lavoie, Matthew Lavoie Jr. and Abgail Lavoie, who were the light of her life. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Oriase Lavoie. Her life was a true reflection of the American dream—from the daughter of immigrants to the matriarch of a large and loving family. More importantly, it was a life defined by kindness, devotion, and love.

Her legacy lives on in the family she built, the values she instilled, and the countless lives she touched. A funeral service was held at St. Elizabeth's Parish at 191 Hubbard Street in Ludlow, MA on Monday March 23, 2026, followed by a burial at St. Aloysius Cemetery in Indian Orchard, MA.

A lunch reception followed at Tony & Penny's Restaurant at 18 Canterbury Street in Ludlow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Josie's name to Rosie's Place, the first women's shelter in the United States. https://www.rosiesplace.org.

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