Josephine L. Pansa

Mrs. Josephine L. (Bruno) Pansa, 90, of Bristol, died Tuesday, November 3, 2009. She was the beloved wife Andrew A. Pansa for 63 years. Born in Bristol, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Assunta (Santillo) Bruno. Josephine graduated from Bristols Colt High School in 1936 and Johnson and Wales Business School in 1938. Upon graduation she taught shorthand and typing there for four years working with Miss Johnson. She then worked at U.S. Rubber in Bristol for several years prior to her marriage. Fulfilling her life long dream, when her children were older, she returned to school and earned a BA degree in education and history with honors from the University of Rhode Island in 1973. She served as a substitute teacher in the Bristol and Tiverton school systems for eight years. Josephine was very active in her church and community. At Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Bristol she served as a CCD teacher, secretary of the Rosary and Altar Society and a member of the annual OLMC 16th of July Feast Committee. She was Regent of the Hope Circle, Daughters of Isabella and served as Chancellor of the State Circle of the Daughters of Isabella. She was a member of the annual Columban Fathers Bazaar Committee, the Nocturnal Adoration Society, and the East Bay First Friday Club. For ten years at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School she provided weekly instruction in Italian for elementary school children. Josephine served for fifteen years as a docent at the Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology and was treasurer of the Bayberry Garden Club, was a member of the Bristol Historical and Preservation Society and the Friends of Linden Place. In 1992 Josephine was named “Citizen of the Year” by the DaVinci Lodge, Sons of Italy. In 1997, she and her husband served as the Chief Marshal's for the Mt. Carmel July 16th Feast.In addition to her husband, she was the beloved mother of Thomas P. Pansa and his wife Patti of San Jose, CA, Andrew S. Pansa of Bristol, and Leonard F. Pansa and his wife Nancy of East Longmeadow, MA, cherished grandmother of Rebecca Gill, Travis and Heather Shoaf, and Jennifer, Drew and Emily Pansa and great grandmother of Aiden Gill and Christopher and Morgan Shoaf. She leaves behind one sister, Dottie Compagna of Bristol, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased in addition to her parents by brother Anthony Bruno and sisters Grace Sousa and Pauline DeSantis. Funeral services from the Sansone Funeral Home, 192 Wood Street, Bristol, Saturday, November 7, 2009 at 9:00 AM with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 141 State Street, Bristol. Burial will follow in St. Marys Cemetery, Chestnut Street, Bristol. Visiting hours, Friday, Nov. 6 from 4:00-7:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, 127 State Street or to the Bristol Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 775, both Bristol, RI 02809.

Service Information Cemetery St. Mary's Cemetery Chestnut Street Bristol, RI -->