Katherine F. Josephson (née Briscoe), 91, of Tinton Falls, formerly of Harding Township, died Nov. 3 after a long illness. Raised in South Orange, Katherine graduated from Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child in Summit. She earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in English literature from Farleigh Dickinson University.
While living in Maplewood, she volunteered as a tutor in the Laubach Literacy program in Newark. Moving to Short Hills, Katherine volunteered at Overlook Hospital and later became a member of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra Committee. Following her move to the New Vernon section of Harding Township, she served on the New Vernon First Aid Squad with her husband, Benjamin H. Josephson, M.D. A member of the executive board of the Harding Township Library, she was its recording secretary for over 25 years. Her many years as a volunteer in the archival office of the Harding Township Historical Society provided a rich source of reference materials for her publication, “Harding Township Library: Historical Perspectives.” She was also an officer for several years in the New Vernon Garden Club.
Katherine was predeceased by her former husband, William F. Kelly Jr., and her daughter, Katherine F. Kelly. She was also predeceased by her husband, Benjamin H. Josephson.
She is survived by her two sons, William F. Kelly III and his wife Patricia of Summit, and Christopher J. Kelly and his wife Susan of Fair Haven; three stepdaughters, Anne Josephson, Esq. and her husband Dolph Vanderpol, Esq. of Needham, Massachusetts, Nancy Josephson and her husband David Bromberg of Williamsburg, Delaware, and Susan Josephson of Boise, Idaho. She is also survived by four grandsons, Timothy Kelly and his wife Kirsten of Chatham, Jonathan Kelly of Millington, and Connor Kelly and Maclean Kelly, both of Fair Haven. She leaves behind three great-grandchildren, Mary Seton Kelly, Riley Elizabeth Kelly and Hunter Jack Kelly, as well as four step-grandchildren, Emily and Sam Vanderpol and Jacob and Ruth Bromberg.
All services are private and entrusted to the John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank. A memorial celebration will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent in Katherine’s memory to Seabrook Library, Attn: Annemarie Matthews, Philanthropy Coordinator, 3004 Essex Road, Tinton Falls, NJ 07753. Please visit Katherine’s memorial website available at johnedayfuneralhome.com.
The article originally appeared in the November 12 – 18, 2020 print edition of The Two River Times.
