Our dear loving mother has passed after a prolonged illness that she navigated with quiet strength, dignity, and a wry and disarming sense of humor. She stayed here with us as long as possible with tenderness and love in her heart for us all her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, extended family and in-laws, friends and the cadre of aides, doctors and nurses that attended to her over the years.

Josefa Antonia Abano (Habano) was a native of the savannah or 'sabana' region of Venezuela, colloquially known as the 'llanos' or great plains. This is an area with a rich history of raising cattle and ranchers known collectively as 'llaneros'. This was a formative part of her young life, as she was born and raised in this rich family and cultural tradition. As well as being raised in a remote rural area, she also lived and was educated in the capital city of Caracas. There she met the love of her life, Cesare Augusto Mancini, married December 12, 1953, and started a family of her own. They had three daughters Anna (now deceased), Maura and Lila while in Caracas and later moved to Boston, Massachusetts in 1965 where Josefa and Cesare had their two youngest children Frankie and Emma.

Josefa (also known as Josefina, Josephine, and Jose') was born in an area outside of San Fernando De Apure in 1932 to Maria Antonia Abano and Jose Lorenzo Maica, and she was the eldest of three siblings (Samuel and Santiago) and seven half-siblings (Teresa, Vidalya, Hugo, Elfino, Raymundo, Modesto, and Evangelista). She studied to be a teacher and enjoyed her time at her residential school, always demonstrating an independent nature and strong love of reading and learning. After leaving school and marrying she began work in a local hospital where she worked until leaving Venezuela.

Josefa was a devoted mother and wife and remained as constant presence in the North End of Boston as a beacon of love and light radiating kindness, compassion, and pure joy always with a warm smile sense of humor and an "I love you". She adored her grandchildren Desiree (deceased), Vanessa, Samantha, and Alicia; her great grandchildren Nicholas, Camden, Domenic, Sophia and Isabella; her sons in law Jose Ramos, Darek Leslie, Chris DeMarco and Craig Vaccaro.

She maintained close connection to her husband's family and their children Rafael Mancini, Domenico Mancini (deceased), and Mario Mancini and their spouses Maricuccia, Genovefa Cruzdelia (deceased) and their children and their spouses Franco, Gianfranco, Anna, Bruno, and Daniela.

Lastly, she was a devoted lifelong friend to Blanca Paiz and her children and her goddaughter Sylvia and to Candida and Dr. Igor Palacios who were always generous and attentive with time and assistance in her times of need and many medical crises over the years.

Josefa was an endearing soul and a force of nature loved by all. She left a deep lasting impression on those who only just met her and those that knew her well. She disarmed them with her sense of humor, calmed them with her presence, and inspired them with her joy and love for life. She will be remembered fondly with deep love and affection and will be missed by all.

Visiting hours will be held Saturday, February 3, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Followed by a Funeral Service at 11:00 AM at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St., Melrose. Burial to follow at Wyoming Cemetery, 205 Sylvan St., Melrose. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend.