Josephine R Duca

     Josephine Duca, 93, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 26 in the Beach Street home in Marlborough
where she grew up and spent her life.
     Josephine was born on March 7, 1925 to Salvatore and Louisa Duca. She is survived by her
brother, Sam Duca and her sister-in-law, Theresa Duca. She was predeceased by her brothers
Frank Duca, Joseph Duca, Tony Duca and Maurice Duca, and her sisters, Rose Breault and
Nancy McGee.
     Josephine never married, but she was like a second mother to her many nieces, nephews,
grandnieces and grandnephews, who all adored their Aunt Jo. Not only did she babysit most of
them when they were young, but she then did the same for their children and even, occasionally,
would watch over their cats and dogs when the need arose.
Josephine will always be remembered for her booming voice, her sense of humor, her kind spirit
and her passion for life. And no one will ever forget her fabulous homemade cheesecake, which
she taught all her nieces to make.
     During her lifetime, Josephine displayed a remarkable work ethic, which was first displayed at
age 15 when she dropped out of school to begin working at the Dennison Manufacturing
Company in Marlborough so that she could help pay the family bills and send her brothers
through college. She remained there for more than 50 years, always showing up with a smile on
her face, and, undoubtedly, an opinion or two about the raging topic of the day.
In her free time, Josephine loved to travel with friends and regularly visited exotic locales. She
went to Cuba long before it was fashionable and traveled across Europe and the Caribbean. She
also regularly took weekend excursions to New York City, Montreal and wherever else she
thought would be fun to visit.
     Closer to home, she loved spending lazy summer days at Sam and Toni’s house in Ashland,
where, with a Manhattan usually in hand, she would sit by the pool and enjoy the company of the
many family and friends who gathered.
     Calling hours will be held at the William R. Short and Son  Funeral Home (www.shortfuneral.com), 95 West Main St., Marlborough, on
Thursday, Jan. 31, from 5-7 p.m. A memorial service will be held next spring at the Immaculate
Conception Church in Marlborough.



 

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