Obituary of Josephine M. Carpenito

Josephine M. (Tavilla) Carpenito, age 94, passed away at her home in Burlington on Monday, June 3, 2024 surrounded by her loving family.  She was the beloved wife of the late John J. Carpenito, Jr., with whom she had shared 55 incredible years of marriage, prior to his passing in 2011.

Born in Boston, MA on February 10, 1930 she was the fourth of five children to the late Antonino and Anna (Spardo) Tavilla.  Following her education, Josie met her wonderful husband John, and they settled down and started their family.  Raising five children was no easy feat, so while John ran a successful wholesale company, Josie created a loving, nurturing environment for her family to thrive in when they came home. 

In her free time, Josie loved nothing more than being out and about.  Whether she was off on an adventure with her husband and their travel friends, attending a local dance, or just taking a neighborhood walk, she jumped at the opportunity to socialize.  Anyone who knew Josie, knew how much she loved to cater to everyone around her.  She relished in hosting family holidays and backyard gatherings at her home in Burlington; always making every event special with her unbelievable home cooking, and natural ability to entertain.  She was also the family photographer at all these events, and captured so many memories that would have been long forgotten if not for her presence.  Above everything else in this life though, Josie loved her family.  She was consistently going out of her way to make sure each of her children and grandchildren knew fully that they were all her favorites.  Josie selflessly concerned herself with her family’s wellbeing from the moment they were born, and even in her final days was looking for assurance that everyone had been properly fed when they came to visit her.  Josie will always be remembered for her zest for life, tenderness towards others, and her ability to bring immense love and joy to every room she entered.

Josie is survived by her five devoted children, Denise Gentile and her husband Louis of Woburn, John Carpenito, III and his wife Susan of Bradford, Anthony Carpenito and his husband Kevin Flint of Waban, David Carpenito of San Diego, and Maria Crowley and her husband Steven of Lowell; her loving youngest sister, Mary Tavilla of Boston; her beloved grandchildren, Danielle Gentile, Christopher Gentile, Dean Carpenito, Brandon Carpenito, Cameron Carpenito, Gianna Carpenito, Michael Carpenito-Kronenfeld, and Olivia Carpenito-Kronenfeld; her dear great-grandchildren, Luca, Adrianna, Lyla, Landon, Sieanna, Brooks, and Amauri; her two sisters-in-law, Lena Carpenito, and Eleanor Carpenito, as well as many other dear nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

Josie was a loving sister of the late Antoinette Lynch, Stefana Tavilla, and Anthony Tavilla. 

Arrangements:  Visitation will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., Burlington on Friday, June 7^th from 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.  Her Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, June 7^th at 12 p.m. at St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington.  Burial will immediately follow in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington.  As an expression of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, donations in Josephine’s honor may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.