February 14, 1939 – March 29, 2022
Mrs. Josephine Guarisco Moncada, 83, a native of Patterson, LA and a resident of Houston, Texas, passed away Tuesday, March 29, 2022.
Josie, as she was affectionately known, is survived by her son, Nicholas Moncada of Houston, TX; her daughter, Jolene Moncada Smoorenburg and her husband Frank A. Smoorenburg, Jr. of Patterson; her granddaughter, Nicole Smoorenburg of Patterson; her grandson, Ethan Smoorenburg and his wife Alison of Franklin; her great grandchildren, Theodore and Eleanor Smoorenburg of Franklin; her sisters-in-law, Barbara R. Guarisco and Joy B. Guarisco; her godchildren, Vince DiStefano, Jr., Donna G. Chadwick, and Sabrina M. Wiese; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.
She was preceded in death by husband of 29 years, Anthony Joseph “A.J.” Moncada; her parents, Sebastian “Frank” Guarisco and Josephine Domino Guarisco; her brothers, Peter J. Guarisco and Frank S. Guarisco; her sisters, Frances M. Guarisco, Mamie Anne Guarisco, and Maria G. Wiese and her husband William Wiese; her in-laws, Nicholas John Moncada Sr. and Josephine L. Moncada;brother-in-law, Nicholas John “N.J.” Moncada, Jr.; her sisters-in-law, Anna Mae M. DiStefano and her husband Vince DiStefano, Sr., and Betty M. Pennison and her husband Harris Pennison, Sr.; and her godparents, Frank Domino, Sr. (of Indianola, MS) and Carrie Guarisco Jefferson.
Josie taught religious education at St. Joseph Catholic Church for 30 years. She was also a Eucharistic Minister for hospital and home-bound parishioners, as well as helped with the Bereavement Ministry and the St. Joseph Altar for many years which she loved because of her Italian Heritage and Catholic Faith.
She treasured her childhood dearly, growing up on Main Street in the heart of Patterson, where everything needed was in a three block radius. She would tell us, “We didn’t need a car, we walked everywhere.” Having said that, she needed only to walk through a hall door in their home and she was inside the family grocery store, Guarisco’s Grocery. From there, she thought it fun to run through the slamming screen door and skip along three blocks to Depot Street to catch the train to Franklin. Oh how she loved this because she was on her way to see her grandparents who immigrated from Sicily, Italy. She adored them and loved spending time with them, learning all she could from them. She lovingly did the same with her own grandchildren.
Josie was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. She was an excellent cook, but a Master Chef when it came to her Italian Red Gravy Spaghetti with meatballs and eggs. She enjoyed reading, gardening, painting, and writing poetry. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed Thursday at Ibert’s Mortuary in Patterson beginning at 10:00 AM, with the Holy Rosary being prayed at 11:00 AM, continuing with visitation until 12:30 PM, then departing to the church.
Funeral services for Mrs. Moncada will be held Thursday, April 7, 2022, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Patterson during a 1:00 PM Mass of Christian Burial. Following the Mass, she will be laid to rest in the mausoleum in St. Joseph Cemetery. Father Herb Bennerfield will be the Celebrant for the Mass and conduct the services. Serving as pallbearers will be her son, Nicholas Moncada; son-in-law, Frank Smoorenburg, Jr.; grandson, Ethan Smoorenburg, godchild, Vince DiStefano, Jr., and nephews, Wayne Guarisco and Curt Guarisco. Honorary pallbearers will be nephews, Glynn Guarisco, Harris Pennison, Jr., Nick DiStefano, John DiStefano, Christopher Wheeler, and family friend, Philip Blanchard.
Thank you Momma for leaving us a legacy of your love, faithfulness, and strength. It’s no wonder you were born on St. Valentine Day, you have the most beautiful heart of anyone we’ve known.
Please remember our mother by cherishing your family as she did. Smile, hug, spend time, and have a meal together. Pray your rosary daily for them, but most importantly be kind to one another.
Family and friends may view the obituary online by visiting www.iberts.com and are encouraged to share their condolences, cherished memories, love, and support for the family.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Ibert’s Mortuary, Inc., 1111 Lia Street, Patterson, LA 70392, (985) 395-7873.