DAUGHTER, MOTHER, FRIEND

J osephine… 

DAUGHTER, MOTHER, FRIEND

The Road Not Taken 

ROBERT FROST 

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, 

And sorry I could not travel both 

And be one traveler, long I stood 

And looked down one as far as I could 

To where it bent in the undergrowth; 

Then took the other, as just as fair, 

And having perhaps the better claim, 

Because it was grassy and wanted wear; 

Though as for that passing there 

Had worn them really about the same, 

And both that morning equally lay 

In leaves no step had trodden black. 

Oh, I kept the first for another day! 

Yet knowing how way leads on to way, 

I doubted if I should ever come back. 

I shall be telling this with a sigh 

Somewhere ages and ages hence; 

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I – 

I took the one less traveled by, 

And that has made all the difference.

osephine… 

JDAUGHTER, MOTHER, FRIEND

Claudia, Camille & Eddie, 1982 

i

This book is dedicated to Josephine Cottone Marquez, written 

on the occasion of her 70th birthday on Dec. 14, 2010, with 

the help of Wendy Healy. Josephine is the backbone of her 

family, which expresses its utmost love and gratitude for all 

she has done for them over the years. Special appreciation 

and love are sent from her children, Claudia, Camille and 

Eddie, who commissioned this commemorative book, and her 

five grandchildren, Justin, Aaron, Olivia, Evan and Sophia. 

The following chronicles one section of her life, starting with 

her coming to America from Italy as a 15-year-old teen. 

CONTENTS 

Yes! I Want To Go to America .......................................................... 2 

A Life of Her Own ............................................................................. 14 

The Later Years .................................................................................. 22 

Through the Years ............................................................................. 25 

Best Wishes ........................................................................................ 50 

ii

Cottone family portrait, 1954 

1

CHAPTER 1: 

YES! I WANT TO GO TO 

AMERICA 

Where Josephine Marquez gets her sense of determination and 

fearlessness no one can really say, but all who know her can attest to the 

fact that she is one smart cookie. 

Over the years, her strength and wisdom have been a blessing to her family, 

and her decisions and sense of responsibility have been inspirational. 

Born in Sicily, Italy, in the town of Caltabellotta on Dec. 14, 1940, her 

parents, Joseph and Maria, asked her if she wanted to go to the United 

States when she was only 14 years old. 

“I said yes immediately,” the petite Josephine recalls. Asked if she was afraid, 

she shakes her head “No” without hesitation. “What did I know about being 

2

Josephine, 14 years old 

3 YES! I WANT TO GO TO AMERICA

afraid?” she asks. At 70, her thick dark hair, pretty smile and flawless skin 

make her look more like someone in her early 60s. 

She knew she was headed for a better life, and she would make a way 

for her family to one day join her in the land of opportunity. Sending a 

teenager all alone on a boat to America wasn’t all that much of an outof-the-ordinary 

thing to do. The family had roots in the new country 

because her father was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and was a U.S. 

citizen. He returned to Sicily when he was only two years old; Italy was 

the only life he ever knew but he dreamed of a better one for his family. 

Since Joseph voted in an Italian election, he lost his U.S. citizenship, but 

was able to transfer it to his first born, and as a result, Josephine already 

had U.S. citizenship before coming to America. 

Joseph, for whom Josephine was named, knew one thing for sure – he 

wanted his family to grow up in the United States. Working on the farm in 

Sicily was bucolic and busy, but Joseph yearned for a better life for his wife 

and five children. As the oldest, Josephine would execute the emigration 

plan, which initially called for her family to join her in six months. 

So with two dresses, a set of underwear, and the shoes she was 

wearing, Josephine packed a small suitcase and was put on the boat 

to America. Her destination? New York City, where she would live 

with her paternal grandfather’s sister Rose Nocilla, who owned a 

house in Elmont, New York. 

Josephine remembers the excitement she felt when the boat, the Vulcania, 

docked in New York City on the morning of Christmas Eve in 1955. 

By then, she had turned 15 years old. Cousin Pauline, Rose’s youngest 

daughter, was the first to approach Josephine and asked if she was Giuseppa 

Cottone. To which, she replied, “Si.” Pauline then summoned the rest of 

the Nocella family to greet their second-generation niece and cousin. 

JOSEPHINE . . . DAUGHTER, MOTHER, FRIEND 4



With her cousins Frank, Mary, and Pauline in the car, they drove Josephine 

home to her Aunt Rose and Uncle Joe’s home on Claridge Avenue in 

Elmont. For the first time in her life, Josephine had the privilege of having 

her own bedroom. She also recalls the large finished room in Great Aunt 

Rose’s basement, where the family would come together to a share a meal 

while sitting at the long table. 

With Aunt Rose living near the Belmont Racetrack and her cousin Frank 

owning a night club called the Carousel, there were always activities and 

things going on, Josephine said. “It was a very happy time,” she recalls. 

Going to school, exploring the neighborhood, and learning the ropes of 

New York life from her cousins. 

Cousin Mary was in charge of checking in the hats of patrons at the club 

and many a nights Josephine would accompany her cousin and just hang 

out. During the days and on weekends, cousin Frank would take young 

Josephine to see the horses race. 

Since she arrived on Christmas Eve, Josephine was introduced to an age-old 

U.S. holiday tradition very early on – hitting the sales in the after-Christmas 

shopping spree. “Cousin Frank’s wife, Peggy, took me shopping. I only had 

two dresses and a few changes of underwear,” she laughs. 

Cousin Frank was very good to Josephine. She recalls this particular 

shopping trip when Peggy showed her how to shop the sales. Since 

Frank was footing the bill, he expected Josephine to try on the clothes 

and show him how they fit. She was shy and embarrassed, but due to his 

generosity and kindness, Josephine obliged him with the encouragement 

of Peggy. Frank would say, “I like it; you like it?” as each outfit was 

modeled. Josephine would humbly say, “Yes,” and Frank would reply, 

“Keep it.” She will never forget how her cousin Frank dressed her from 

head to toe in style. 




Times were different then, especially back in Sicily. Josephine was learning 

that there was an abundance of things in America. Things were yours for 

the taking, and all that was required was money. 

Josephine wanted money of her own and knew that she needed to get a 

job. She saw her cousin Charlie go to work everyday for the New York 

Sanitation Department, and wanted the thrill of going to work herself. 

But she was only 15 and couldn’t work for another year. So she began 

babysitting, mostly for the children of her cousins, Frank and Charlie, 

and started sending the money she made back home to her parents. 

Every time she wrote a letter to her parents, she would put a dollar in the 

envelope and her father would kiss the ground out of excitement that 

he could buy a pack of cigarettes. Josephine also recalls sending money 

home to her parents with which they were able to purchase 2 goats, a 

radio and a sewing machine on different occasions. Her parents were 

grateful and Josephine was more than happy to help. 

Once she turned 16, however, she convinced her cousin Joe to sign her 

out of the 10th grade at Elmont Memorial High School, so she’d be free to 

work full time and make a weekly paycheck. 

Little did she know that companies weren’t hiring in the winter, so 

Josephine would have to wait until spring to get a job at Joanne’s Coat 

Factory on Holland Avenue in Elmont, where she sewed buttons on the 

coats. With her $45 salary per week, she would keep $5 for personal 

expenses. Later, $15 would go for room and board, and she saved $25 to 

send it to her family to eat and live. What she didn’t spend, she saved for 

future family expenses. 

The initial family emigration plan called for her family to come join her 

within six months. But Josephine wouldn’t be able to sponsor them until 

she was 21, so everyone would have to wait to be together. 


Friends hanging out 


She was concerned with her family’s discomfort in Italy and wished they 

were in the United States. “I was disappointed that my family couldn’t come, 

but I was comfortable with my extended family. I had the love of Aunt 

Rose’s family.” 

Josephine worked at Joanne’s Coat Factory for six years, “until I was 22,” she 

recalls, sending paychecks home, and spending a little on herself. 

On May 16, 1957, only a year and a half after Josephine arrived in America, 

Aunt Rose died unexpectedly of a heart attack. Josephine’s world changed. 

Aunt Rose had been like a mother to her after she came to New York. 

Josephine remained in the house with her uncle for another year until her 

cousin Mary invited her to live with her. 

Josephine was a young woman in Elmont, and she and her friends began 

dating. “Louie liked me,” she smiles, and her friend, Fina, encouraged her 

to give him a chance. So the group went out on New Year’s Eve, but 

Josephine was less than thrilled with Louie. It’s no wonder. She wasn’t 

going to settle for just any one, especially given her drive, determination 

and plan for her life. 

“This guy Ritchie also liked me,” she recalls. “So I said, ‘I’ll date 

him.’ ” But like Louie, Ritchie didn’t stand much of a chance with 

Josephine either. 

She almost felt guilty dating, in a sense. She was focusing on herself, and 

she had a responsibility to get her family to America. She had no time 

for trivial things like dating in her life. 

Knowing Josephine’s family would be migrating from Italy any day now, 

Josephine saved enough money to rent a home for them. However, after 

paying rent on a home that was unoccupied month after month, she had 

to give up the house. 


Caltabellotta, Sicily, with Uncle Philip 


All her hard work and money saved finally allowed her parents to come 

to America. Her parents, Joseph and Maria, came in January of 1963 and 

lived in Cousin Mary’s house. After a month or two, Josephine and her 

parents rented a two-bedroom apartment on Holland Avenue in Elmont. 

Josephine’s siblings, Nicky, Anna, and the twins, Lilla and Benny, would 

arrive eight months later on August 5, 1963. 

Quarters were tight at first, but it wouldn’t be long before the family of 

seven would have a home of their own. Josephine’s dad, Joseph, had 

landed a job only two days after arriving in Elmont in a tool factory in 

Mineola, Long Island. 

The family was together once again, money was being made, and the 

younger kids were in school. Life was good. 

They bought a house nearby, and for the first time in nine years, Josephine 

felt like she could breathe a sigh of relief. She had achieved her goal. Her 

family was here. 

After two years of working in the tool factory, Josephine’s father cut his 

finger and the factory gave him $2,000 as a settlement. The $2,000 was 

used as a down payment to buy their home at 169 Waldorf Avenue, where 

Josephine’s mother still resides today. 


Wedding Day, April 15, 1967 

13

Chapter Two: 

A LIFE OF HER OWN 

Josephine tried dating again, but the next date was really a 

set up. She went on a trip with Uncle Charlie, her mother’s 

brother, where they visited Sicily and stopped in Venezuela before 

coming home to America. While in Sicily, a guy named Pino fell for 

Josephine. He followed her to America. Little did she know, Pino had 

a plan, and was in cahoots with her parents. 

While the feelings were one-sided, all on the part of Pino, Josphine’s 

parents encouraged her to open her heart to him. “My parents wanted 

me to marry him, and to make my parents happy, I got married at City 

Hall in the winter of 1965,” she recalls. 

14

Eddie & Josephine 

15 A LIFE OF HER OWN

Once again, her responsibility to her family overshadowed her own 

happiness. 

This was becoming an all-too-familiar scenario for Josephine. As a 

14-year-old in Sicily, her father’s brother, Charlie, tried to arrange another 

marriage for her. The young man’s family gave a dowry of jewelry to 

betrothed Josephine. She would have none of this. But being the 

responsible daughter, however, she quietly accepted it. Just days before 

leaving for America, before boarding the boat, she handed the dowry 

of jewelry to her mother and said, “Give it back to him. Tell him that I 

mailed it to you from America.” 

After getting married at City Hall, Josephine realized that she had made a 

huge mistake. She didn’t love this man and definitely did not want to be 

his wife. She told him she wanted to get the marriage annulled. 

Where did she get the determination and inner strength as a young 

woman? “No clue,” she laughs. But these are characteristics that were 

defining the woman she was becoming. 

As life would have it, within days of this event, Josephine’s best friend, 

Nina, invited her out to dinner with her husband and his friend. At the 

Luna Restaurant, Josephine, wearing black high heels and a red skirt, 

met the love of her life. Eddie Marquez reminded Josephine of Elvis 

Presley, a Puerto Rican version of the legendary singer, and she found 

herself giddy, perhaps for the first time as a young woman. “I spilled my 

glass of wine all over his pants,” she laughed, and the rest is history. 

Josephine fell in love with Eddie the first night she met him. She loved 

everything about him. She loves his looks, his height, his personality 

and she loved laughing with him. And Eddie was equally smitten with 

her. She recalls going out on their first date where he just kept snapping 

photos of her for the first hour. 


Josephine introduces Eddie to her parents 

Maria and Joseph Cottone 


Already having the intention of getting a divorce from the man she married 

at City Hall, she planned to go to Mexico on the counsel of a lawyer in 

order to get the marriage annulled. 

Dating Eddie wasn’t easy, however, she had to see him on the sly. Her 

parents were against this relationship. They still wanted their first-born 

daughter to have a proper Italian-born husband. So she would sneak away 

to see him at the bowling alley or at friends’ houses. 

When the two began making plans to marry, Josephine explains, “I told 

my mother, ‘I’ve met someone and you’re just going to have to get to know 

him. You’ll love him.’” 

The Cottones well understood Josephine’s determination. After all, it was 

because of her hard work and responsibility that they were able to come to 

America in the first place. Once they met Eddie, Josephine’s mom, along 

with the whole family, quickly adored him. 

“On April 15, 1967, Josephine became Mrs. Edward Marquez, and was 

happy. Maybe someone would finally take care of her instead of her caring 

for everyone else. 

The wedding was large and lovely in Elmont. “A big Italian wedding,” recalls 

Josephine, with five attendants, and many happy photos to remember it by. 

After getting married, they moved to Jamaica, Queens, to live as 

newlyweds for 10 months. Meanwhile, Eddie was putting a dormer on 

Josephine’s parent’s home and they rewarded his labor with $2,000. 

With the money, Eddie and Josephine put a down payment on their 

first home at 232 Waldorf Ave. 

With Eddie’s skill and expertise, they renovated the house and the 

newlyweds lived in the upstairs apartment for a couple of years while they 

rented the main floor to supplement their income. 


“Everyone was shocked and amazed at what we had done with the house,” 

said Josephine. “People would say, “There’s no one like Josephine.” She 

says: “I think I had a lot of responsibility at a very young age, and that 

made me who I am.” 

After five years of trying to have babies, Claudia arrived in 1971; Camille in 

1974; Eddie in 1979. 

But her marriage to Eddie wouldn’t last, and in 1982, the Marquezes 

divorced. 

She moved her three children and herself into the same one-bedroom 

apartment that a decade earlier she had helped her husband renovate and 

started off her marriage in. And since she owned the apartment, she was 

able to live there for two years until her home in Elmont, N.Y., was built. 

She always knew a good thing when she saw it. And when her friend offered 

to build a home for her at a reasonable price, she jumped at the opportunity. 

She sold the apartment to her youngest brother and with the proceeds was 

able to afford a down payment on a beautiful new home on Randall Avenue, 

Elmont, in a good neighborhood. 

The house she bought was built by Sal Vivona, who later would become her 

companion. 

With a job at the Bingo hall, Josephine settled in to raising her family as a 

single mom. “I always worked, but I worked out of necessity,” she recalls. 

Daughter Camille says: “Where do I start? My mom has always been a safe 

haven for me. She tucked me into bed every night and gave me 1,000 kisses 

before I would go to sleep. And for that, I am eternally grateful.” 

She continues: “But I also love her for her commitment to herself and 

her children. Staying in a marriage to my father would have been the 

easier thing to do, but she left, and in leaving her marriage, she lost her 


eautiful home, picturesque neighborhood in nearby Franklin Square, 

and many of her closest friends. She again was alone, but this time she 

had three children to care for. I am humbled to think of the strength 

and determination she had to once again rebuild her life. And to do it 

with such grace … She’s a strong, strong woman and she is living the 

American dream. She provided her children with a beautiful home, rich 

family traditions, and with the knowledge that it’s OK to take a path 

that is less traveled by.” 

Uncle Charlie Colletti and Josephine in Caltabellotta, Sicily 


Josephine and Sal in Florida with brother Nicky 

21

CHAPTER 3: 

THE LATER YEARS 

While it wasn’t always an easy life, it was always busy and fun and 

not filled with regrets. “My one regret,” says Josephine, “was dropping out 

of school.” But that’s what people did in the 1950s. 

As she hugs her grandkids, she thinks back on her own childhood and 

compares how life today for kids is much different and more privileged. 

Kids today have a lot more freedom, she said, plus they are given many 

things and don’t have the work ethic that her generation had. “Kids today 

have everything in the refrigerator,” she said, recalling her own sparse 

cupboards growing up. “There’s no necessity today.” 

22

Most kids do not even know what necessity means because their parents 

have given them everything, she adds. Most don’t know how to work, she 

said, “because the refrigerator is always full.” 

But she is happy that her children have a better life and wouldn’t deny 

any happiness. But she also wouldn’t trade her early life for anything, as it 

made her the woman she is today. 

In true Josephine fashion, she once again was pursued, but this time 

it was by her long time friend, Sal Vivona. He would become her 

last and forever companion and finance. Sal always liked Josephine, 

but she was married with children. However, after Josephine found 

herself divorced, and Sal’s marriage ended, he pursued her. Sal told 

Josephine that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. Once 

just friends, now they were more. And while there is a book worth 

of information about Josephine and Sal’s relationship, Josephine feels 

grateful for the love and support that Sal has given her since they 

started their romance 22 years ago. 

Her relationship with Sal over the years has afforded her the opportunity 

to travel the world. But still, she’s the same ole Josephine and takes none 

of this for granted. She finds as much satisfaction in going to Atlantic 

City, N.J., as to Paris, France, or the islands of Hawaii. 

As a grandmother to five grandchildren, she feels blessed. She had the 

opportunity to help raise her first grandchild, Justin, as he grew up in her 

home along with his mother for the past 17 years. Josephine adores Justin 

and feels a special connection to him. 

She finds much joy in seeing her grandchildren play at her home when the 

families meet for an occasional Sunday dinner or for the Christmas Day 

tradition of opening presents at Nana’s house. 

23 THE LATER YEARS

With much pride, Josephine enjoys knowing how much the children love 

her cooking. Sophia, her youngest grandchild, would often ask, “Nana, are 

you making your meatballs for dinner?” 

Her one wish for her grandchildren is that they always do the right thing 

and doing the right thing means being good to people and to themselves. 

She is also especially grateful to God. “God has given me the strength to 

cope with everything in my life.” Prayer is a powerful part of life for her, 

and her prayers often center on the health and happiness of her family. 

God always answers prayer, she adds. 

How would she like to be remembered in this world? As someone who was 

dedicated to her family, and was a generous person. She likely will be – for 

this and much, much more. 

Calling her “Nana,” grandkids Aaron, Olivia and Evan Melendez sum it 

up best. Evan says, “She’s so special.” Why? “She takes us out to Gino’s,” 

adds Olivia. Aaron interjects, “Because she gives us lots of kisses.” “Oh, 

and lots of money,” Evan is quick to point out. 

Congratulations and God’s blessings to Josephine on her 70th birthday. 

God willing, she said she wants to return to Sicily one day, to see everyone 

one more time. 


THROUGH THE YEARS 

25

Wedding Day, April 15, 1967, with siblings 

The family at Regina’s wedding, 1997 


Claudia’s christening 

Camille’s christening with godmother Nina 

27 THROUGH THE YEARS

Josephine & Claudia 


Eddie’s Wedding Day, June 11, 2006 


Family life in Franklin Square, 1978 

Josephine & Eddie, 1982 


Young mom to Claudia and Camille, 1974 

Christmas 1982 


Camille modeling a dress made by Josephine 


Josephine and grandson Justin, 1998 


Anna & Josephine 

The Nocella Family 


Josephine with grandsons, Aaron and Evan, 2008 

Anna & Josephine with granddaughter, Olivia, 2004 


Maria, Josephine & Johanna with granddaughter, Sophia, 2007 

Grandchildren: Olivia, Sophia, Evan, Justin and Aaron, 2010 


Atlantic City with family and friends 

Atlantic City, New Year’s Eve with friends 


Renovations with brother-in-law Ralph 

Cousin Mary, who was like a mother to her for 7 years. 


Working at the Bingo Hall 

Godmother to best friend’s Phylis’ daughter, Michelle 


Celebrating four birthdays in four days 

Josephine and best friend, Anna. Baby shower for son, Eddie. 


Best friend Charolett in Caltabellotta, Sicily, 1965 

Uncle Charlie and Josephine, 1965 


Josephine and Uncle Charlie in 1965 

Josephine with aunt in Venezuela in 1965 


Castello di Mare 


Trip to Italy with Sal 

Visiting Sicily with Sal 


Trip to Sicily with Sal 

Sightseeing in Hawaii 


Josephine with sister, Lilla 

Trip to Sicily 


The D’Agostinos at Camille’s christening 

Josephine and Benny at Coney Island 


Josephine in Rome 

Fontana di Trevi 


BEST WISHES 

TO JOSEPHINE 

49

To My Mother, who has a heart of gold. Your accomplishments and 

determination are admirable. I thank you for all you have done, for all 

your thoughtfulness, generosity, knowledge and wisdom. 

Love, Claudia 

Happy Birthday, Mom! I can’t believe you are 70. I am so thankful 

that you are around to see your grandchildren grow and I am thrilled 

to know you are still seeing the world! Many blessings for today and 

always. 

God Bless, Camille 

Happy Birthday to my Mother I adore and Love. WOW 70 amazing!!! 

I could only wish to make it to 70 and look as good as you do and be 

as mobile as you are. Mom, you are truly an amazing woman and you 

have always been there for me with unconditional love. I want to thank 

you for being a wonderful mother to me and a fantastic grandmother 

to Sophia. I also want to thank you for the life you gave me and the 

way you raised me!! I love you so much. You did a great job raising us 

and showing us how to love. 

Love your only son, Edward 

Happy Birthday Nana, I enjoy living with you and spending everyday 

with you. I’m the lucky grandchild! I know I can come to you for anything. 

Looking forward to many, many more years. 

Love, Justin 

Happy Birthday Nana, I love you, and I hope to dance with you 

at my wedding. 

Love, Aaron 

You’re the best nana ever! We love you! 

Love, Olivia, Evan and Sophia 


51 BEST WISHES TO JOSEPHINE

DAUGHTER, MOTHER, FRIEND

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