Josephine Ciulla Maduzia went home to the loving embrace of her Savior, Jesus Christ, on JUNE 21, 2023, surrounded by her four children and eldest grandchild. She was born on June 24, 1934, to Ollie Ciulla and Angeline Rizzo Ciulla. As a native Houstonian, Josephine grew up in the Heights attending Christ the King Catholic Church and Grade School where she received her sacraments of initiation as well as the Sacrament of Matrimony with her husband of 55 years, Norbert "Jay" Maduzia on February 15, 1953. Josephine attended and graduated from Incarnate Word Academy in 1952. Josephine and Jay were the parents of four children: Norbert Joseph Jr., Sharon Lynn, Valerie Jean, and Ronald Craig, who all attended Christ the King Grade School as did their mother. In the summer of 1971, the family moved to Cypress, Texas. Josephine was always insistent that the family attend the parish church in whose boundaries the family resided. With the move to Cypress, the Maduzia Family became members of St. Anne's Parish in Tomball. However, with the growth of the Diocese of Galveston-Houston, without moving from the home, the family became founding members of Prince of Peace Catholic Community, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, and finally, Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church. When she moved to Auberge Assisted Living, she changed parish affiliations one last time, registering as a member of St. Ignatius of Loyola, where her son, Fr. Norbert, serves as Pastor, and in whose boundaries she now resided.

Jo, as she came to be known when she went to work at Kwik Kopy World Headquarters in Cypress, was a mom, grandmother, and great-grandmother who loved hosting family parties and meals, Bar-B-Ques, holidays and Sunday events to which even priests, bishops and a Cardinal from Canada enjoyed. It became the place where people gathered and as such, there was always plenty of food for even the stranger that was invited by one of her children or grandchildren. Jo insisted that the whole family gather for big holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. And it was common for those who came to bring Tupperware containers for leftovers.

She and her beloved Jay always planned vacations for the family some of which included shopping expeditions to the border towns of Mexico, various locations throughout Texas, the grandest of vacations to California to visit Jay's parents, Knotts Berry Farm, Disneyland, the Grand Canyon, and Las Vegas. In November of 2005, she joined her son and two daughters for a trip to Italy celebrating Masses in some of the holiest places the Church can offer.

She is predeceased by her parents, Ollie and Angeline Ciulla, her husband of 55 years, Norbert Joseph Maduzia, Sr., her sisters, Mary Theresa Ciulla and Catherine Trombatore. She is survived by her children, Very Rev. Norbert Maduzia, Jr., E.V., Sharon Lynn (Bobby) Propes, Valerie Jean (Chris) Miglicco, and Ronald Craig (Debbie) Maduzia. She was grandma to her grandchildren, Major Travis Allen Propes, Daniel Paul Propes, Angeline Marie (Michael) White-Cearley, Victoria Lynn (Derek) Polasek, Madalyn Gene Maduzia, Ronnie Nathan Maduzia (Matthew Clayton Hill). She is also survived by her great-grandchildren, Mason Brandon, Landon Michael, Jackson Joseph, Avery Danielle, and Tucker Trace White–Cearley, Brynlee Lynn and Charlotte Marie Polasek.

As the mother of a Roman Catholic priest, Josephine will be buried holding her son's maniturgium in her hands. The maniturgium is the cloth upon which her son wiped the Sacred Chrism from his hands at his ordination to the priesthood. The pious tradition narrates that when the priest's mother arrives at the gates of heaven she is escorted directly to our Lord. Our Lord says to the woman – "I have given you life, what have you given to me?'" She hands him the maniturgium and responds, "I have given you my son as a priest." At this Jesus grants her entry into paradise.

Josephine's family will receive visitors at St. Ignatius of Loyola Church, 7810 Cypresswood Dr., Spring, Texas, 77379 on Friday, June 23, 2023, from 5 – 6:30 p.m. The Rite of Reception of the Body will be at 7:00 pm with the praying of The Holy Rosary. The Vigil for the Deceased will begin at 7:30 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, June 24, 2023 (her 89th birthday) at 11:00 a.m. at St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church with her son, Very Rev. Norbert Maduzia, Jr., E.V., presiding. A reception will follow in the Christus Center. The burial will take place at Klein Memorial Park, 9714 FM 2920, Tomball, Texas 77375 at 2:30 pm.

Serving as Pall Bearers are her godson, Benjamin Trombatore, and her grandsons, Major Travis Propes, Daniel Propes, Michael White-Cearley, Derek Polasek, and Ronnie Nathan Maduzia.

The family would like to offer their sincere gratitude to her caregivers at Auberge at Village Lake of Houston. Thank you for your love and dedication to our mom. We also thank Dr. Ronald Taylor, M.D., for the years of caring for our mom. And, in her final days, the team from Horizons Hospice Care. We are also grateful for the love shown in many ways by Jo Simpson and Mary Nguyen over the years. Mom treasured your friendships.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to consider a donation to St. Ignatius of Loyola Gonzaga Center Building Fund, 7810 Cypresswood Dr., Spring, TX 77379.