Josephine Verner

It is with great sadness and joy that we share the passing of an incredible lady- Josephine Verner, a devoted mother, grandmother, sister and Great-Grandmother. At 93 years she saw and did so much and in the end she was so tough she was even immune from COVID. She passed away peacefully knowing she lived a long and fulfilling life with her family and career.

She was born in Brooklyn NY, April 3, 1927, in Kings County Hospital.  Josephine grew up in a time when women were not treated equally. She did not let that stop her and she was a trailblazer in the 1950's workforce as one of the only women working in the semiconductor industry. She was an outstanding student that graduated High School at 16 years old, skipping two grades. She sang at war bond rallies during World War II to raise money for the war efforts. She moved to Bethel, CT in 1960 and always was a proud Bethel resident. Even into her nineties she stayed active in the community: volunteering at the Bethel VNA & the Bethel Public Library. She also was an active member of both Quota International of Candlewood Valley and the Red Hats social group. Her hands were always busy crocheting baby gifts for donation to the less fortunate. 

Early in her life she overcame illnesses including Double Pneumonia, and both Scarlet and Rheumatic Fever (which gave her antibodies making her immune to Covid. At age 50, she decided to attend WestConn and she graduated with a Business degree in three years. She worked in consumer financing for General Electric Credit Corp. (GECC) and was very proud to have passed the CPA exam in 1982. She later worked at the Danbury Parking Authority until she retired in 1993.

She is survived by her daughters: JoAnne (John) whom she lived with for the past twenty-five years, Susanne Reilly, and her brother, Dominick Nisi of New Windsor, NY.  She had three grandchildren: D. Joshua Reilly (Liesel), Rebecca Reilly, and Emily Read. She also had three great grandchildren: Piper Reilly, Cruise Reilly, and Sophia Reilly. 

A Graveside Service is to be held on Tuesday January 19, 2021 at 11 a.m. at Wooster Cemetery (20 Ellsworth Ave, Danbury CT 06810). Please maintain social distancing guidelines. 

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