Josephine Agnello Giorlando, 87, passed away January 16, 2026, at Hudson Valley Hospice House in Hyde Park, NY.

Born in Palermo, Italy, she was the daughter of the late Caterina Billitteri and Gaetano Agnello. At age 18, she earned a degree as a dressmaker and designer. In 1960, she immigrated to the United States with her husband, Giovanni Giorlando, settling in Brooklyn, NY, where she worked as a garment worker in New York City’s Garment District. She became a citizen in 1962. 

In 1971, as a single mother of two daughters, Josephine courageously ventured into owning her own pizza shop on Route 55. Known affectionately as the “Pizza Queen,” she was passionate about cooking and sharing her love through food, family, and community.

She is survived by her daughters, Anna Maria Leone (predeceased son-in-law, Danny Leone) and Caterina Giorlando Miller and her husband, Jonathan D. Miller; her grandchildren, Josephine Leone, Lucio Leone, Dana Miller, and Anna Miller; and her siblings, Giovanna Cardella, Dominic Agnello, and Giuseppe Agnello.

Josephine was predeceased by her sisters, Angela Benedicenti and Maria Patti, and her brothers, Antonio Agnello and Mario Agnello. 

Family will receive their friends on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Straub, Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home, 55 E. Main Street in Wappingers Falls, NY. A funeral service will take place at 12 noon at the funeral home. Entombment will follow at Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery, South Avenue in Poughkeepsie.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hudson Valley Hospice, www.hvhospice.org.