Josephine Sabatasso

JOSEPHINE BORTONE SABATASSO 

Born March 7th, 1926 Newark New Jersey. Passed October 8th, 2026 at 100 years, 7 months, Newport Beach, California.

Long before she became “Auntie Jo” and “Grandma Jo”, she was a cute little girl with very curly hair. Her dear much older sisters, Edith and Ann just adored her. They liked to dress her up like a Shirley Temple doll, which she hated and kicked her legs in protest. 

Her very Italian parents, Ernest and Angeline, had to keep a close eye on this little stubborn girl. She was not as tame as their older daughters. 

Jo famous fashion sense was shaped Angeline’s lovely hand sewn dresses. Mom was a seamstress to wealthy clients. The fabric remnants went to Jo’s pre-Depression wardrobe. 

Jo’s legendary cooking skill came from her parents. Ernest ran an annual little seaside summer camp with rental rooms at the Jersey Shore. Jo even learned Hebrew traditional food, which Dad prepared for his tenants. But Angeline’s Italian dishes kept them sniffing the kitchen and coming back each year. Jo’s time near the sea drove her desire to always be waterside.

As Jo grew into a strikingly beautiful woman, the suitors appeared. One persistent and dashing fellow was Frank Luciano who pursued Jo when she worked for Bell Telephone in Newark. Jo eventually agreed to marry and elope with Frank, much to her family’s dismay. Jo and Frank went off into the sunset to California. All was not smooth in those early days, as Frank’s older sister, Stella, was ever-present until they found their own place.

The couple was blessed with a beautiful baby girl, Catherine. She became the center of their world, as they both worked in Frank’s growing building business in Los Angeles.

This now very glamorous couple and child frequently visited Pittsburgh where Frank’s family resided. They were so different and adored by the many nieces and nephew of Frank’s six sisters and one brother. Their “royal” visits were cooking marathons!

On the West Coast, they were a power couple, entertaining Hollywood personalities for whom Frank built home. They appeared in newspapers and in community affairs. On top of the world until some bad business decisions brought it all down.

After Jo and Frank divorced, Jo started her own building business in Santa Barbara, where she built several condo complexes. Jo loved being on the construction sites, speaking Spanish to her crews. She was successful and respected in a man’s world.

A dear family friend, Frank “Sabby” Sabatasso, also a builder and Jo’s confident, became much more than a friend over time. They married in 1979, living in the Newport Beach and Palm Desert areas. This marriage brought a huge family of Sabatasso’s to Jo’s world again. While she was once a family friend for years, she now WAS family. There were so many loving nieces, nephews, grandchildren and stepsons.

Jo’s Sunday family dinners were legendary. She was an amazing cook who always looked beautiful in the kitchen, and everywhere. Sabby entertained all guests with his piano skills. It was another glamorous segment to Jo’s life.

The years with Sabby were filled with cruises and world travel, from Africa to China, accompanied by almost the entire Sabatasso family. This exciting life came to an end with family tragedies, Sabby’s long illness and passing. Jo moved to Rancho Mirage to be near her daughter at last.   They re-ignited their relationship, as they began their own travel odyssey, with summers in Laguna Beach and Newport Beach, and long stays in Italy.                                                                     There were many new friends and neighbors in the desert that became very close to them.

A massive blow came with Cathy’s cancer diagnosis, surgery, treatments and passing within nine months. Jo was bereft! She had started installing a pool in her courtyard as Cathy had wished. The pool project kept Jo sane during that horrible time. Her builder skill kicked in.

Jo eventually moved to Newport Beach, bringing her closer to the Sabatasso family again. There were still happy times there with many family visits, shopping and lunches at Fashion Island. She always wanted to remain stylish.

Jo loved her tea and meals served in fine Chinaware. She loved her many works of art, particularly those painted by Cathy. She loved reading Shakespeare, her beloved Wall Street Journal, and her daily Catholic journals. She loved the classic movies which she watched over and over. Jo loved telling very long stories of her life and we so loved hearing them. She loved music but her hearing became very bad.

Jo was so witty, smart, and loving but stern. We all know that look she gave when she thought we were wrong or just dense. But then we all laughed together. Jo always had an ear for our good news or our problems.

Jo is survived by too many relatives and friends to ever list. You know she loved and cherished every single one of you. Goodbye to our Jo. We know she will be waiting for our visits.

Arrangements are under the care of Forest Lawn, Cathedral City, CA.