Obituary: Josephine M. (Papandrea) Testana, 91, of Meriden

MERIDEN, CT - (From Stempien Funeral Home) Josephine M. (Papandrea) Testana, 91, of Meriden, passed away peacefully, Monday, March 1, 2021 at Apple-Rehab Coccomo in Meriden.

She was the loving wife of the late Dominic Spinelli.

Josephine was born in San Giovanni, di Gerace, Italy, December 3, 1929, a daughter of the late Salvatore Papandrea and Maria Bevaqua (Papandrea) and had been a Meriden resident for 73 years.

Josephine was employed as a Nurse’s Aide at the former Meriden-Wallingford Hospital until her retirement.

She was a parishioner of Our Lady Queen of Angels Parish in Meriden.

Josephine will be remembered for her love of plants and her beautiful flower gardens. Josephine was a devout Catholic, her faith and family were very important to her.

She is survived by her daughters Rosemary Spinelli-Reyes and her husband Ariel of Wallingford, Lydia Testana of Meriden; and her son-in-law Kenneth Lamoureux of Glastonbury; her 6 grandchildren Katharine Deykin and her husband Eugene, Karen Reyes, Matthew Lamoureux, Jenna Barkasy and her husband Brian, Sarah Josenhans and James Hagerty; 3 great grandchildren Tucker, Nathaniel, Allyson; and her brother Fred Papandrea of N. Carolina.

Salvatore Figliomeni, whom Josephine considered as her own son, as well as many nieces; and nephews.

She was predeceased by her daughter Theresa Lamoureux; her sister Sr. Rosa Maria, of the Angels of the Holy Spirit Convent, located in Calabria, Italy; and her sister- in-law Albina Papandrea.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a graveside service, Thursday, June 24, 2021 at 11 a.m., on the Feast Day of St. John the Baptist, in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Meriden.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Smith-Ruzzo Funeral Home, 450 Broad St., Meriden.

For online condolences visit smithruzzofuneralhome.com.