Josephine Spano, the mother of Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano and former New York State Sen. Nicholas A. Spano, died on Wednesday morning, Dec. 6 at the age of 89, according to an announcement by Mayor Spano's office.
In a statement, Spano said that his mother helped give him and his siblings the drive to succeed.
"We all just wanted to make her so proud," Spano said, adding, "She inspired us. She educated us. She dedicated her life to us. For that, we are eternally grateful."
Spano also said he was comforted that she is now reunited with her husband, Leonard N. Spano, who she was married to for 66 years.
"You are at peace now, Mom. What gives me comfort is you now are reunited with dad – forever our guardian angels. We will always strive to make you proud and keep you in our heart always," Spano said.
Josephine Spano was the mother of sixteen children: Nicholas, John, MariaElena, Eleanore, Leonard, Joanne, Rosemarie, Camille, Michael, Victoria, Anthony, Dolores, Loretta, Gerard, Joseph, and Vincent.
A visitation for Spano will be held on both Thursday, Dec. 7, and Friday, Dec. 8 at Sinatra Memorial Home, Inc. located at 499 Yonkers Ave. in Yonkers.
A funeral mass will then be held on Saturday, Dec. 9 at 9 a.m. at St. Peter's Church located at 91 Ludlow St. in Yonkers.
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