Josephine M. Nicoletti, 87, passed away June 2, 2023, in Lexington, Kentucky, after a long illness. Josephine was born May 7, 1936, to the late Ottaviano and Josephine DiMarco in Trenton. As a young adult, she moved to the Jersey Shore area where she met her late husband Bernard C. Nicoletti Sr.; through the majority of their lives they resided in Little Silver before moving to Tinton Falls in their retirement years.
Josephine leaves behind her son Bernie Nicoletti Jr. and girlfriend Lisa Belcastro of Tinton Falls; daughter Gina Nicoletti-Bellinger (Dennis) of Lexington, Kentucky; grandson Nicholas Nicoletti; granddaughter Gianna Nicoletti; sisters Gloria Burke, Jean DiMarco and Joan Smith; brother Danny DiMarco (Sharon); and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her sister Ann Tabor; brothers Anthony DiMarco, Ottaviano DiMarco Jr. and Michael DiMarco; mother in-law Genevieve Nicoletti; and father in-law Frank Nicoletti.
Josephine was a very talented woman with a passion for helping others. She was a co-owner of Nemeth & Nicoletti Insurance Agency and the founder and first president of the Monmouth-Ocean Insurance Women’s Association. Josephine retired in 2007 after a 50-year career in the insurance industry.
An advocate for girls’ sports, she coached the Little Silver Red Tornadoes recreational soccer team and started the first club soccer team in Little Silver; she assisted the team in playing at Giants Stadium before the New York Cosmos professional soccer game. She also was a leader of both a Cub Scout troop and a Girl Scout troop where she taught members how to make her famous spaghetti and meatballs. An avid cook and dancer, Josephine loved to entertain and cook her famous Italian recipes for family and friends.
Family and friends visited June 7 at the John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. June 8 at St. James RC Church, Red Bank, followed by burial at 1:30 p.m. at the Brig. General William C. Doyle Veteran Cemetery, 350 Province Line Road, Wrightstown.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Memories and condolences may be shared at johnedayfuneralhome.com.
The article originally appeared in the June 22 – 28, 2023 print edition of The Two River Times.
