Josephine Benedetto (née Miele) was a fiercely independent woman with a stubborn streak and an inclination to avoid making too many decisions at once. When a Category 5 hurricane was barreling toward Florida, she simply told her family, “We all have to die eventually,” and outran the storm with a fellow septuagenarian on the highways and byways of Florida in their own rendition of Thelma & Louise.
Unfortunately, our mothers and grandmothers are all proven right in the end, and the singular Jo Benedetto left this world Dec. 9, 2024.
Born March 28, 1942, Jo was the eldest child of Mabel (née Finello) and Vincent Miele. They welcomed Jo’s younger sister and built-in best friend, Louise Hammond, a short 15 months later. Jo and Lou shared everything in their childhood and continued to share stories, card games and endless laughter throughout their lives.
Jo always felt fortunate to have found the love of her life in Christian Benedetto Sr. when he spotted her across the floor of the department store where they both worked and declared she would be his wife. Chris often said seeing Jo for the first time was like being struck by lightning. Luckily for him and all who knew them, Chris was right, and the two married Aug. 24, 1963.
Throughout their 47 years of marriage, Chris and Jo shared the kind of love so many dream of finding. Their marriage was one of respect and partnership, friendship and silliness, and a deep, enduring love for each other.
Together, Chris and Jo built a successful real estate business and raised three children whom they cherished, Gina, Christian Jr., and Michael. The family of five enjoyed many memories together, from lively family dinners to island-hopping in the Caribbean. One of Jo’s favorite memories was taking all three kids to Disney World the year it opened, bringing a smile to her face as she remembered it in her final days.
Jo attended St. Ann’s School in Keansburg where she met two of her lifelong best friends, Barbara Bremekamp (née Woelfle) and Lois Gleason (née Flannelly). Jo, Barbara and Lois added a fourth member to their group – Theresa Dziedzic (née Mooney) – as freshmen at Red Bank Catholic High School. “The Girls” remained close friends for nearly 80 years. Jo considered their friendship to be one of her life’s greatest blessings.
While being a mother was all well and good, Jo found being a grandmother particularly fun as there was no responsibility. When she found out she was going to be a grandmother, she joked that she’d liked to be called “Gorgeous” but figured that would be too hard to say, so “Grandma” would have to do. It should come as no surprise that her seven grandchildren adored her.
Jo was a woman of delightful contradictions. She knew how to Venmo but lost her cell phone in her sock (while wearing it). She managed the books for a successful real estate business, yet routinely forgot to include an ingredient in her signature (read, only) dessert recipe. She traveled all over the world, but if there was one inch to trip on, she found it.
Jo brought joy to everyone around her and is already profoundly missed. Her family will think of her as they knew her best: wearing big sunglasses, chunky gold jewelry with her hair done, and red nails that were perfect until the very end. The deep sadness they feel in Jo’s passing is a testament to the woman she was and is lessened only by the knowledge that she is reunited with her beloved Chris at last.
Jo was preceded in death by her husband, Christian Benedetto Sr.; parents, Mabel and Vincent Miele; grandson John Glenn; and brother-in-law Ned Hammond. She is survived by her children, Gina Benedetto Glenn (Charlie), Christian Benedetto Jr., and Michael Benedetto (Patrice); sister Louise Hammond; grandchildren, Katie Glenn, Amy Glenn, Olivia Benedetto, Elizabeth Glenn, Michael Benedetto and Christian Benedetto III; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests those who wish to express sympathy donate to two local organizations Jo supported throughout her life: Lunch Break at lunchbreak.org and the Barn for the Poorest of the Poor at barnforthepoor.org or via check to 39 Bayberry Lane, Middletown, NJ 07748.
All arrangements are limited to immediate family.
The article originally appeared in the December 19 – 25, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
