Josephine Margaret (Serpe) Natalie

Josephine Margaret (Serpe) Natalie, aged 95, entered her eternal rest at home after a long, fruitful life, and she lives on in the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Josephine was born on November 4, 1928, in Pittston, Pennsylvania to parents Arcangelo and Concetta (Milazzo) Serpe, Italian immigrants from Montedoro, Sicily. Josephine enjoyed an idyllic life in the small coal mining town of Pittston and was the middle child of seven children. Josephine moved to Erie as a newlywed with her beloved husband, Alfonso ("Al"), in 1948. She worked at General Electric until after the birth of her second child and spent the next 25 years as a stay-at-home mom. Josephine deeply loved children and she and Al eventually had a total of eight of their own!

Josephine was a warm and generous woman who "never met a stranger." She was "Mamma Natalie" to her children's friends and often had more than one extra person at her dinner table. She made everyone feel welcome in her home and made sure they didn't go away hungry. She was especially known for her spaghetti sauce and meatballs and her delicious pizza.

Josephine shined as "grandma" to her 22 grandchildren and was thrilled to be "grand-mere" to an additional 23 great-grandchildren, making each one feel special and dearly loved. In addition to raising her own children, Josephine, as a caregiver, also helped Jim and Mary Claire Brown of Erie nurture their three children, Andrew, Ryan, and Annie. Josephine was affectionately known as "Joey" to the Brown's children and she loved them as her very own.

Josephine was a deeply spiritual woman and genuinely lived to honor her Lord Jesus. She was a fervent prayer warrior and read through her Bible many times over her long, illustrious life. Toward the end of her life, Josephine expressed many times how she longed to go "home" and meet the Lord face to face.

In addition to her parents, Josephine was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 49 years, Alfonso C. Natalie, as well as her siblings, Charles Serpe, Grace Borino, and Carmella "Millie" Folweiler and her great-grandson, Aidan Mulhern.

Josephine is survived by her children Peter Natalie (Susan), Angelo Natalie (Kathy), Ann Watson (Michael), Constance "Connie" Osiecki (Lawrence), Joel Natalie (Debra), Alan Natalie (Suzanne), Nancy Burkholder (Shawn), and Jeffrey Natalie (Jen). She is also survived by her beloved siblings, Angeline Doyle, Joseph Serpe (Patti), and Angelo Serpe, Jr. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Emily Natalie, Faith Natalie, Amanda Duncan (Jeffrey), Noelle Natalie, Derek Natalie (Kristin), Todd Natalie, Julie Mulhern (Ernie), Michael Natalie, Paula Adams (Christopher), Ellen Phillips (John), Laurel Clark (Dustin), Natalie Osiecki, Joel Natalie, Jr. (Carly), Joshua Natalie (Rebekah), Jennifer Natalie, Angelina Natalie, Melania Natalie, Giovanni Natalie, Jessica Pietras, Kyle Pietras (Kailey), Devon Natalie, and Gianna Natalie. Josephine is also survived by her great-grandchildren, Ruby, Julia, Charles, James, Nicholas, Christopher, Kaitlyn, Patrick, Thomas, Brennan, Ian, Andrew, Olivia, Allison, Colin, Caleb, Sabrina, Sebastian, James, Reagan, Micah, and Jaxon. Josephine is further survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Josephine's family would like to express their deepest appreciation for the staff of LECOM's Hospice and Skilled Home Health Care Service, especially Kate, Sandy, Tracy, Jessica, and Paula, for the compassionate care and comfort they provided Josephine in her last months at home.

Friends are invited to call on Monday, August 19, 2024, at Grace Church, 7300 Grubb Road, from 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. and on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Service there at 11:00 a.m. Reverend Michael Watson, Josephine's son-in-law, will officiate. Burial will be in Laurel Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Josephine's memory may be made to Wings of Hope, the charitable affiliate of LECOM'S Hospice service, supporting patients in need (wingsofhopeerie.org), Grace Church (whoisgrace.com), or a charity of one's choice.

Arrangements are in the care of the John R. Orlando Funeral Home, Inc., 2122 Raspberry Street, Erie, PA 16502.