Josephine Lovette, a resident of Onondaga Center on East Avenue in Minoa, celebrated her 101st birthday on Feb. 28.
Lovette was born on Feb. 28, 1917 in Mendicino Cosenza, Italy. She is the oldest of three, having two sisters. The family moved to Bronx, NY when Josephine was about five years old. Two years later the family moved to Syracuse, which is where she considers home. Her dad was a shoemaker in the downtown area and her mom was a homemaker.
Josephine worked for Sears and Roebuck for 35 years, eventually becoming the department head of the women’s clothing. Josephine retired when she was around 60 years old.
It was at Sears and Roebuck that she met the love of her life, Raymond. Raymond was a security guard. Most of the ladies who worked there thought he was handsome and tried to get dates with him, but he only had eyes for Josephine. Josephine was not interested and played hard to get, but in 1977 they wed. They were married 40 years before his passing last year.
Josephine’s interests include swimming, going to the beach, playing cards-poker and gin rummy, listening to music-Jerry Vale, Engelbert Humperdinck, Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra, and of course her family.
She was a very active member in the Humane Society and is very dear to her heart. Josephine continues to dress for success and enjoys the pampering of having her nails and hair done weekly.
She is one who has always preferred to eat healthy and eat very little red meat. She did not smoke or drink. She has a great sense of humor and enjoys all the views life has to offer. These are all part of the reason of her existence and being 101 years young.
