Josephine A. “Josie” Farnella
Josephine A. “Josie” Farnella
Josephine A. “Josie” Farnella, 100, of Jamestown, NY, passed away peacefully on Jan. 11, 2026, at Heritage Green Rehab & Skilled Nursing. Born on March 10, 1925, in Jamestown, she was the daughter of the late Michael J. and Prospera “Pearl” Baglia Farnella. Josie lived a long, meaningful life centered on faith, family, and service to others.
Josie grew up in Jamestown and graduated from Jamestown High School in 1943. Following her calling to care for others, she attended the Millard Fillmore School of Nursing, graduating in 1946. She went on to build a distinguished and compassionate 38-year career as a Registered Nurse, serving patients in Jamestown and Buffalo, NY. Over the years she worked for WCA Hospital, Jamestown General Hospital, and several hospitals in Buffalo. She concluded her career at the Buffalo Veterans Hospital, retiring in 1984 after decades of dedicated service to veterans and their families.
After retirement, Josie returned to Jamestown to lovingly care for her mother, Pearl — a role she embraced with the same devotion she brought to her nursing career.
A lifelong communicant of St. John Catholic Church, Josie was active in the Altar Rosary Society and volunteered faithfully at the Italian Festival each year. She took great pride in her Italian heritage and enjoyed the traditions, food, and community that came with it.
Josie was known for her warm heart, gentle spirit, and unwavering loyalty to those she loved. She cherished family gatherings, holidays, and celebrations of every kind. To her nieces and nephews, she was not only an aunt but a source of encouragement, humor, and unconditional love.
Josie is survived by two nephews, Arnold (Pamela) DePetro of Jasper, GA, and Jeffrey DePetro of Jamestown, NY; three nieces, Susan Carlson and Michelle Buttafaro, both of Jamestown, and Anne (Hugh) Windom of Sarasota, Florida; and several great-nephews and great-nieces. She leaves behind many extended family members and friends who will forever hold her memory close.
Her family takes comfort in knowing that she lived a full century of love, service, and faith — and that her legacy will continue in the lives of all who were blessed to know her.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Sally DePetro, who died on April 7, 2024 and Sally’s husband, Arnold DePetro, who died on Oct. 17, 2000; and Josie’s nephew, Thomas Buttafaro who died on July 29, 2002.
Special thanks go to the Heritage Green staff and Chautauqua Hospice & Palliative Care for their exceptional care and support.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 AM Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026 in Holy Apostles Parish, St. John Catholic Church. The family will greet friends in the church from 9 to 10 AM Saturday prior to the service. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery.
Memorials may be sent to ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741. To share your condolences please visit www.lindfuneralhome.com.