Obituary of Josephine L. Zakala

Josephine L. Zakala, 82, of Rome, passed away on Wednesday, January 10th, 2024. She was born in Utica on January 11th, 1941, a daughter of the late John and Pasqua (Potenza) Rubino. She was a 1959 graduate of Proctor High School and on June 12th, 1965, she was united in marriage to Paul A. Zakala. 

Josephine worked at Mele Manufacturing Company, General Electric, and was a monitor for the Rome City School District. She was a member of St. Peter’s Church. 

She loved to attend her children and grandchildren’s sporting events, family doings, the Miami Dolphins, and The New York Yankees. Josephine enjoyed celebrating all holidays, especially Halloween, with family and friends. Her home was always filled with love, laughter, and plenty of food. You could always find her wearing purple and celebrating with a glass of Lambrusco. She was an avid fan of General Hospital and spent many late nights catching up on her soaps. 

Surviving besides her loving husband of 58 years, Paul, are two daughters, Gina Bird (Jerome) and Paula Jones (Aaron); a son, Richard Zakala (Anne Marie); seven grandchildren Ashley Bird (Jamie); Alexis Zakala, Matt  Zakala, Jenna Zakala, Amanda Bird (Zach); Meredith Jones, and Ryan Jones; three great-grandchildren Brooklyn Brown, Brennan Bird, and Ellianna Zakala, and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by four sisters Flora and her husband Carl DeFazio, Rose and her husband Ralph Jackson, Mary Rubino, Giovanna “Jenny” Rubino, and a brother Santon “Sammy” Rubino. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, January 15th at 11:30 a.m. at St. Peter’s Church, 200 N. James St., Rome NY 13440.  Interment will take place in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to call at Nunn and Harper Funeral Home, Inc., 418 N. George St., Rome NY 13440, on Sunday, January 14th from 4 - 7:00 p.m.  

You may view the obituary and send a message of sympathy at www.nunnandharper.com