Submitted by: Dan Rich

Josephine A. Zirille

July 9, 1914 - Dec. 4, 2001

South Bend Tribune 12/7/2001

Josephine A. Zirille, 87, of South Bend, Ind. (formerly of Mishawaka, Ind.), passed away at 1:20 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 4, in Saint Joseph Community Hospital, Mishawaka.

Josephine was born on July 9, 1914, in Massena, N.Y., to the late Joseph and Rose (Cosenza) Trimboli. She was also preceded in death by a sister, Mary Mittiga; and by three brothers, Ross, Anthony and Dominic Trimboli.

On Sept. 2, 1934, in St. Monica Church, Josephine married Michael Zirille, who survives. She is also survived by a daughter, Rosemary (David) Spalding of Mishawaka; a son, Francis M. (Rena) Zirille of Elmwood Park, Ill.; nine grandchildren, Andy (Jan) Spalding, Mike (Cynthia) Spalding, Katy (George) Cressy, John (Georgia) Spalding, MaryJo (Brad) Meier, Tony (Joy) Zirille, Dave Zirille, Nina Rose (Jeff) Gery and Chris Snyder; and by 20 great-grandchildren.

Along with the roles of wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Josephine held a variety of part-time jobs through the years: sales clerk in the lamp department at Robertson's Department Store, jack-of-all- trades at the family-owned Dariette Drive-In, assistant librarian at the biology laboratory at Notre Dame, and clerk in the Penn Township Assessor's office. Her creative talents were expressed through the arts of millinery, needlework, oil and watercolor painting, cooking and cake decorating. Her leadership skills and community service were demonstrated in a variety of volunteer activities such as Mother's Club and Rosary Society at St. Monica Church, Camp Fire Girls, St. Joseph Community Hospital Auxiliary, and as a teacher's aide at Battell School. An avid reader and follower of current events, her day rarely ended without the final news update.

Visitation was from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6, in the Thallemer-Goethals Funeral Home, Mishawaka, where a Rosary was recited at 7:30 p.m.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Monica Church at 1 p.m. today, Dec. 7, with interment following at Fairview Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Monica Church or to Saint Joseph Community Hospital, Mishawaka.