Josephine Lucy (Mollica) Gagliardi

Josephine Lucy (Mollica) Gagliardi passed away peacefully surrounded by her family, prayer, and ViewPointe staff on February 21, 2023, in Colorado Springs, CO. Josephine was born on December 13, 1930 in Dunmore, PA to Angelena (Lena) and Anthony Mollica.

Josephine attended grade school in Dunmore, PA. In the mid 1940s her family moved back to Colorado and lived in Frederick, Jansen, and on College Avenue in Trinidad. She graduated from Trinidad High School in 1948. Josephine earned an Associates of Arts Degree in Education from Trinidad State Junior College in 1950 and was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa. She continued her elementary teaching education with a summer term at CU Boulder, CO.

Josephine was married to Frank A. (Babe) Gagliardi at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Trinidad, CO on August 2, 1952. She was an active member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel parish for many years and later Holy Trinity Catholic Church Parish. Josephine was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America, a longtime member of the Holy Trinity Parish Altar Society, a member of Beta Sigma Phi, and Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (DCCW), Home and School Association/PTA President and member, to name a few.

She was an elementary school teacher in Raton NM, Sopris, Hoehne, and Trinidad, CO. Most of her elementary teaching career was at Holy Trinity School. Her deep faith and love for young children was shown in the beautifully nurturing way she taught and lived. Her strong work ethic was visible not only throughout her teaching career, she was a sales associate at Moses Department Store, helped part time at Monteleone’s Produce, and an enthusiastic MaryKay Consultant. 

Josephine was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter-in-law, caregiver, sister-in-law, and friend to all. Some of her loving names were Jo, Josephina, Mom, Ma, Mommy, Mama-Mrs. Gagliardi, Mrs. Gagliardi, Nana, Granny, Grandma, GGG and Mama Mia.

Josephine adored her 13 grandchildren and was blessed with 18 great-grandchildren. She always asked about them and was so proud of each of them and of their accomplishments. She always recalled their correct names.

Josephine was devout in her Catholic faith and an active member of Holy Trinity Catholic Parish during her years in Trinidad. When she moved to ViewPointe Senior Living Community in Colorado Springs she was involved in the welcoming committee, flower arranging committee, and she started a weekly rosary ministry.

She loved gardening, baking, reading, teaching children, cooking, family get-togethers, cooking and serving at soup kitchens, talking to our Lord, and laughing. She was a skilled storyteller with a marvelous memory. Her sense of humor and kind ways touched everyone she met, and was appreciated by all around her.

Josephine was preceded in death by her loving husband Frank (Babe) of 47 years; her parents Angelena and Anthony Mollica; her in-laws, Ventura (V.A.) and Antoinetta Gagliardi, brothers, Frank Mollica and Dominic Mollica; sisters-in-law, Connie Mollica, Zilli Mollica, daughter in law Sandy Gagliardi; sisters & brothers-in law, Ann and Amadeo Anselmo, Helen and Sam Concialdi, Marie and Willy Colangelo, Gene and Ellie Gagliardi, John Gagliardi, Jimmy Gagliardi, and Jerry Ridgeway, and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.

Josephine is survived by her five devoted children & spouses, Jim Gagliardi, Marilyn & Chuck Montoya, Frank & Sheri Gagliardi, Rob & Nanale’ Gagliardi, Mike & Colleen Gagliardi; 13 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren; brother, Leonard Mollica; sisters-in law, Antoinette “Toni” Mollica, Patricia “Patsy” Ridgeway, Peggy Gagliardi; sister and brother-in-law; Roseann and Rudy Icabone; and numerous nieces, nephews and relatives.

Services will be held at Saint Patrick Catholic Church, 6455 Brook Park Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80918 on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, with a rosary at 9:30 a.m. and a Mass of Remembrance at 10:30 a.m. A reception will follow.

Graveside Service at Trinidad Catholic Cemetery will occur at a later date.

 In lieu of flowers the family requests donations in Josephine’s memory to: Holy Trinity Academy in Trinidad, CO, 200 Church St. Trinidad, CO 81082, Abode Hospice, 5465 Mark Dabling Blvd Floor 1, Colorado Springs, CO 80918, or a charity of your choice.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Josephine Lucy (Mollica) Gagliardi, please visit our floral store.