Jennie (Cerminaro) Joseph

Jennie Cerminaro Joseph of Indian Land, S.C. passed away on June 9, 2021 with her family by her side.  She always walked a few steps ahead of her time, while carrying tradition close.  She was born on December 22, 1935 to the late Pasquale and Giovannina Marano Cerminaro.  The ninth of ten children, she grew up in Utica, N.Y.  She accelerated her studies and graduated from T.R. Proctor High School in three years, taking a job at Chicago Pneumatic to help support her family.  After her mother's death the following year, Jennie pursued higher education at The College of St. Rose, earning both her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Education.  Her strong faith and desire to help others led her to be ordained a Sister of The Order of St. Joseph of Carondelet.  She taught in Catholic schools throughout the Albany, N.Y. area for several years.  After serving a temporary vocation, Jennie left the convent, bought a Ford Mustang and a pack of cigarettes, and returned home.  Her career continued 30 more years, as a favorite teacher at Brandegee, Hughes, and Kernan schools.  On June 21, 1970, she married fellow teacher Robert A. Joseph.  The couple had two children and enjoyed over 50 years together.  An active member of St. Louis of Gonzaga Church, Jennie served as President of St. Mary's Guild, and taught religious education and First Communion preparation.  She advocated for better conditions for teachers, and volunteered for many community causes such as juvenile diabetes awareness.  In 2008, Jennie and her husband Bob moved south to be close to their grandchildren.
Jennie is survived by her husband, Bob, daughter Helene and son-in-law Michael Laurenti of Waxhaw, N.C., son Robert Joseph of Indian Land, S.C., beloved grandchildren Mia and Cole Laurenti, in-laws Pat Corriero, Richard and Marilyn Joseph, Kathleen and Gordon Custodero, Tony and Selma Joseph, John and Kathy Joseph, and numerous nieces, nephews, godchildren, cousins, and friends.  In addition to her parents, Jennie was preceded in death by all of her siblings: Angeline (Angelo) Cerminaro, Annunziata Cerminaro, Domenica Cerminaro, Frances Brood, Josephine Feliciano, Pauline Corriero, Pasquale (Charlotte) Cerminaro, Gloria (Wendell) Higgins, and Mary Jude Romanzo, as well as her parents-in-law Anthony and Helen Joseph and brother-in-law William Joseph.
Jennie's life will be celebrated with Masses at St. Stephen Maronite Church in Waxhaw, N.C. on June 19, 2021 at 11 a.m., and at St. Louis of Gonzaga Church in Utica, N.Y. on July 24, 2021 at 1:30 p.m.  Mass was also offered on June 11, 2021 by friend Fr. Abdoo at St. Frances de Sales Church in Riverdale, CA.  To honor Jennie, please consider a donation in her name to her favorite charity: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at: stjude.org/donatetoday.
The family is deeply grateful for the support and love they have received from family and friends from around the world.  Such an outpouring truly reflects how Jennie lived her life, and the expanse of people she touched