Josephine “Jay” (Trebisacci) Christina, 97, of Narragansett Avenue, passed peacefully surrounded by her family on January 20, 2018.

Born in Westerly RI, she was the daughter of Antonio Trebisacci and Nellie Trebisacci.
She was the beloved wife of the late James A. Christina for 65 years. She is survived by her brother Antonio Trebisacci and his wife Carolyn, sister Antoinette Ravenelle, and sister-in-law Linda Christina. She was predeceased by brothers Louis, Sal, John, and David.

She lives on in her seven children: Jim and his wife, Betsy; Steve and his wife, Nancy; Fran and his wife, Julie; Adele and her husband, Gene Sykes; Paula and her husband, John MacLeod; Bob and his partner, Erin Malloy; Rich and his wife, Pru. Nani Jay also leaves behind her seven beloved grandchildren, Jennifer, Kevin, Erika, Jamie, Zach, Jake and Kit; one great-grandson Bryce; and many nieces and nephews.

Her early years were spent dancing at The Armory and assembling propellers at Hamilton Standard during World War II. She married Jim and became Mother of the Year beginning in 1946, but gained official recognition by The Westerly Lodge of Elks and the State Legislature on Mother’s Day 2003. She was a member of the Daughters of Isabella and the Calabrese Club Woman’s Auxiliary. Her favorite pastimes were playing Scrabble and Left-Right-Center, watching The Wheel and taking hikes to the ‘Woods. Jay oversaw yearly soupy production and hosted Doughboy Sunday, always entertaining guests with her sharp wit, etiquette tips, and fashion advice (especially for her daughters). She was full of life and love and her house was always full of family, friends, and whoever else stopped by. Her visitors stayed for laughs, to dance, to sing, and to share stories. They all left warm and well-fed.

To commemorate Jay’s giving spirit and her love for the Boston Red Sox, in lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Jimmy Fund.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated Thursday, January 25, at 10 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Church, 111 High St., Westerly. Burial will be at St. Sebastian Cemetery, Westerly. Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home, 59 Spruce St., Westerly is in charge of the arrangements. For online condolences please visit www.gaffneydolanfuneralhome.com

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