Published in the September 25, 2015 edition
MELROSE — Josephine H. (Pavone) Clifford, 93, of Melrose, died at the Sawtelle Family Hospice House in Reading on Sept. 16.
Josephine was born and raised in Everett and was a graduate of Everett High School, Class of 1941. After high school, Josephine worked as a seamstress and also a welder at the Charlestown Naval Shipyard, where she worked on airplanes and boats during World War II. She was a member of the Mount Hood Golf Club in Melrose, played in the Women’s Daily Golf League for many years and continued playing until the age of 82. She was a member of the Incarnation Church in Melrose and the Most Blessed Sacrament Church Ladies Guild in Wakefield for many years.
Josephine was a seamstress and loved decorating cakes, puzzles, knitting and worked as a Waitress for Jimmy’s Harborside Restaurant in Boston for over 25 years before her retirement at the age of 55. She was an avid traveler and enjoyed her trips to Portugal and spending her winters in Hawaii.
Josephine was the beloved wife of the late Francis J. Clifford for over 60 years. She was the loving mother of Frances J. Cook and her husband Richard of Melrose, Donna L. Athanas and her husband Ronald of Manchester and Deborah G. Hurley of Melrose. She was the cherished grandmother of Michael Athanas and his wife Dorothy; Steven Athanas and his wife Jennifer; Jennifer Cook; Christopher Cook and his wife Kristen; Dennis Hurley and his wife Michelle and Stephanie McQuillan and her husband Derek. She was the caring sister of the late John Pavone, Dominic Pavone, Joseph Pavone and Anna Zichettlia. She was the sister in law of Grace Pavone of Melrose. She is also survived by 10 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation was held at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 West Foster St., Melrose on Sunday, Sept. 20 from 4-7 p.m. Josephine’s funeral was held at the Gately Funeral Home on Monday, Sept. 21, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in the Church of the Incarnation, 425 Upham St., Melrose at 9 a.m. Burial took place in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105 or Sawtelle Family Hospice House, 320 Haverhill St., Reading MA 01867. To send a message of condolence please visit www.gatelyfh.com.
