HORNELL-Josephine “Josie” Ciancaglini, 87, of Rural Ave., North Hornell, passed away Saturday morning (November 20, 2021) at St. James Hospital following a long illness.
Born in Hornell on June 24, 1934, she was the daughter of John & Gilda (Silvino) Ciancaglini.
Josie grew up in Hornell and was a graduate of St. Ann’s School and later graduated from Hornell High School (class of 1952). She was a 1956 graduate of Mercyhurst University in Erie, PA where she majored in English Literature and French. She later received her Master’s Degree in Education from St. Bonaventure University.
For 33 years, Josie served as 9th grade English Teacher at the former Hornell Junior High School and later at the Hornell High School. For many years she was active in and served as director of the Hornell High School plays and musical productions and was a mentor to Hornell’s own, Bill Pullman.
Josie was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and a communicant of St. Ann’s Church. Throughout the years, she had been a member of several organizations such as Catholic Daughters of America, Ladies of Columbus, the Fortnightly Book Club, and was a life member of the Woman’s Auxiliary of the Carducci Lodge Son’s of Italy. Josie served as president of the St. Ann’s Parish Council and for many years was a Religious Education Instructor. She had also been a Board Member of the Hornell Library, the Steuben Senior Services Fund (SSSF), a member of the Hornell City Planning board and received numerous awards for her leadership on Hornell High School Building Teams.
She was a member and past Co-President of the Beato Angelo Society and was very passionate about him becoming a saint. Josie had a deep devotion to Beato Angelo who was from Furci, Italy where she and a large group of Hornellians had descendants who immigrated to Hornell.
An extremely charitable woman, Josie gave of herself and donated to many charities throughout the years. She devoted countless hours of her time as a volunteer at the Aquinas Gift Shop of St. James Mercy Hospital, the Hornell American Red Cross, the American Cancer Society, Faith in Action, driving people to their medical appointments.
She loved to travel and on two occasions, visited Rome, Italy. Josie also enjoyed traveling to professional shows and musical productions in New York City (Broadway), Chautauqua Institute, the Stratford Ontario Theater. Because of her “Love of the Arts”, Josie served as President of the Hornell Arts Council and actually received the “Key to the City” of Hornell from then Mayor Shawn Hogan in recognition of her exceptional service to the Arts.
A true “Sports Fan”, Josie enjoyed rooting for her favorite sports teams such as the Buffalo Bills and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. She especially loved attending and cheering for her great-nephews, Adam & Austin; great-nieces, Andrea & Jessica.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Augie Ciancaglini.
Surviving are 2 nieces, Mary K. (Joe) Dwyer of Arkport and JoAnn (Shane) McMahon of Almond; 2 nephews, James “Jim” Ciancaglini of Hornell and Michael Ciancaglini of Hornell; 2 great-nephews, Adam Dwyer of Arkport and Austin Dwyer of Rochester; 2 great-nieces, Andrea McMahon & Jessica McMahon, both of Almond; her cousin, Mary Jo Colomarino (Dave) Jacobs and their daughter, Linda (Mike) DeCocq & son, David, all of Rochester; her childhood friend, Mary Theresa Moretti Purtell; along with countless friends throughout the Hornell Community and several relatives in Furci, Italy. Josie will especially be missed by the Doran family (Mary Margaret, Brendan, Brian, Fr. James OSB, Maura & Andrew) and the Mickey & Bill Smith family (Neale, Hildreth, Bobby & Mark) who she considered her “Surrogate Families”.
The family of Josephine “Josie” Ciancaglini will receive friends on Monday from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM at St. Ann’s Church where a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the conclusion of calling hours at 2:00 PM. Burial will be in St. Ann’s Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements are in care of the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY.
Josie’s family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name be made to either the National Parkinson Foundation, PO Box 23204, Rochester, NY 14692 or the Hornell Alumni Association, PO Box 135, Hornell, NY 14843 or to St. Ann’s Academy, 41 Genesee St., Hornell, NY 14843.
To leave an online condolence or share a memory, visit www.dagonfuneralhome.com.
