Josephine Veronica Suckow

Josephine Veronica Suckow, age 93, passed away peacefully in hospice in Palm Harbor, Florida on February 24, 2024.

Josephine (née Tizzano) was born on January 7, 1931, in Elizabeth, New Jersey to Adelina Iadanza Tizzano and Saverio Tizzano. The second of two girls, she grew up in Roselle Park, New Jersey. Josephine graduated from Roselle Park High School in 1950.

While on a ski trip organized by the Senior Catholic Youth Organization (“SCYO”), mutual friends arranged ski lessons for Josephine with the SCYO social director, William (“Bill”) Bernard Suckow. The ski lessons were so successful, that William and Josephine married in May 1956. Together they had a daughter, JoAnne, born July 1957.

Josephine was an active member of the Mother’s Auxiliary of Oak Knoll School in Summit, New Jersey during JoAnne’s school years. Josephine enjoyed lending her organizational skills in student activities such as leading the Girls Cooking Club, as well as acting as chairlady for benefit luncheons, fashion shows and other fundraising events for the school.

Josephine was devoted, supportive and fiercely proud of her family as mother, wife and grandmother. Driving JoAnne from New Jersey to New York for ballet lessons throughout JoAnne’s growing years, Josephine’s unremitting encouragement played a pivotal role in the realization of JoAnne’s dream of becoming a professional ballet dancer. Equally supportive of her husband’s dream of opening his own restaurant, Josephine was the proud co-founder of “Tizzano’s Pizzeria and Restaurant” named in honor of Josephine’s parents.

Not only was Josephine known for her Italian recipes, including her scrumptious meatballs still prepared by family members to this day, Josephine possessed a broad array of talents. Gifted with an unusually beautiful singing voice, Josephine regularly sang in the church choir as a young girl. Josephine studied Beauty Culture and became an accomplished hair stylist. Sought after not only by clients, Josephine gladly accommodated friends and family members seeking her proficiency in hair care as well.

Additionally, Josephine enjoyed a variety of handicrafts. For example, one of Josephine’s most prized skills was her meticulous seamstress capabilities. She relished helping friends and relatives seeking her assistance making prom dresses and other special occasion sewing projects. Josephine would delicately decorate family members’ wedding invitations with exquisite dried flowers, afterwards framing them and give as a wedding present or on other occasions. In particular, friends and family valued her intricately decorated cutout eggshell ornaments, which she would gift at Christmas and Easter.

Once JoAnne’s professional dancing career took her abroad and far from home, Josephine decided to work first for Eastern Air Lines and later for Kiwi International Air Lines, in the Reservation and Vacation Planning Departments. Her genuine readiness to help others earned frequent appreciation from her customers over the years.

In her later years, Josephine’s long and difficult journey through the progression of Alzheimer's, was eased by the selfless and unrelenting devotion and love, of her beloved husband, Bill.

Josephine was predeceased by her parents, Adelina and Saverio, and her sister, Philomena Patricia Tizzano Chiappino. She is survived by her husband William, her daughter JoAnne Suckow, and her grandson Adriano Tonio William Suckow.

Josephine will be deeply missed by her family and friends, and will be remembered for her lively spirit, her talents, and her readiness to lend a hand to those in need.

In celebration of Josephine’s life, a Memorial Mass will be held at St. Brendan’s Catholic Church in Clearwater Beach, FL on Wednesday April 3rd at 10:30 am.