Josephine Marie Aiello, 65, of State College, and formerly of Johnsonburg, passed away Tuesday June 30, 2026, at Mt. Nittany Medical Center, State College after a long and courageous battle with illnesses, including cancer.

Josephine was born to the late Carmen and Fiorina Aiello on October 3rd, 1960. She was a beloved daughter, sister, aunt, great-aunt, and friend whose life was marked by faith, generosity, humor, creativity, and deep love for her family. She was devoted to God and the Catholic Church, and even through the many hardships she faced, Josephine trusted in God, loved life, and rarely complained.

She graduated from Penn State University with a degree in Human Development and Family Studies. During her life, she was involved in Our Lady of Victory Church’s  Catholic Daughters and the Women's Welcome Club of State College including Coupons for Soldiers. She worked at Wonderland Preschool as a teacher and supervisor, for Dr. Scott Malay, a podiatrist, for Dr. Heimer, an optometrist, and with ARC, serving people with disabilities. Wherever she went, Josephine had a gift for encouraging others, lifting people up, and making people laugh. She was mischievous in the funniest way, warm-hearted, and generous — often giving to others even when she had very little herself.

Known lovingly as “Zizi” by those closest to her, Josephine cherished her nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews as if they were her own children. She never had children of her own, but she poured a motherly love into the children in her family. She especially adored her great-nieces and great-nephews, and her love for them was constant, joyful, and unconditional.

Josephine loved Italy, flowers, animals, avidly making crafts, participating in many craft fairs and festivals, did face painting at the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts and other events, cooking for people, feeding the birds outside her apartment, and talking to Krysta’s animals over the phone. She loved birthday cake, made jingles and songs about everything, and had a playful spirit that brought laughter to those around her. She also dreamed of writing a children’s book called Papa’s Dahlias, inspired by children with special needs. Her creativity lived in many forms, including the character Louie the Louisiana Crawfish, whom she invented for a painting.

Even in her passing, Josephine gave one final gift through the donation of her corneas to the Gift of Life Donor Program, helping someone in need of sight. It was a beautiful reflection of the love, light, and generosity she carried throughout her life.

Josephine is survived by her siblings, Anthony Aiello of Johnsonburg and Gina Aiello and her husband Daniel Krzeminski of Ridgway; her nieces and nephews, Daniel Aiello, Krysta Fitch Kane and her husband, Michael, and Kaylie Fitch; and her great-nieces and great-nephews, Gage Aiello, Kamdyn Kane, and Fiorina Kane. She is also remembered with love by her best friend of over 35 years, Darlene Gunsallus.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Carmen and Fiorina Aiello, maternal grandparents Antonio and Maria Siciliano and paternal grandparents Frank and Isabella Aiello.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Josephine M. Aiello will be conducted at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 820 Westerly Pkwy., State College, on Monday July 13, 2026 at 10:00am, with Fr. George Jakopac as celebrant. Family and friends are invited to gather in remembrance of Josephine’s life, her faith, her humor, and the love she shared so freely. Interment will be in Holy Rosary Cemetery, Johnsonburg. There will be no visitation.

Josephine will be loved forever and missed beyond words. Her family takes comfort in knowing she is now free from pain and resting with Jesus.

The family is forever grateful for the assistance provided by the medical community of Centre County and the Centre County Transportation Services.

Arrangements are under direction of the Anthony F. Ferragine Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 401 Chestnut Street, Johnsonburg, PA.