Josephine Ann Gaeta

Josephine Ann Gaeta, a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and devoted wife, passed away peacefully on September 5, 2026, at the age of 99 plus.

Born in Hoboken, New Jersey, on December 10, 1926, Josephine spent part of her early life in East New York, Brooklyn, before moving with her family in 1957 to New Hyde Park, New York. She later made her home in Sea Cliff, New York.

Josephine was predeceased by her beloved husband, John J. Gaeta, Sr., a U.S. Army Air Force veteran of World War II and a 30-year New York City fireman.

She is survived by her two sons, Dr. John J. Gaeta, D.D.S., of Sea Cliff, New York, and Frank L. Gaeta, CPA, of Amherst, New Hampshire; her four grandchildren, Richard John Gaeta, of Amherst, New Hampshire; Christopher Jordan Gaeta, of Denver, Colorado; Liam Ray Gaeta, of New York, New York; and Jade Filomena Gaeta, of Sea Cliff, New York; and her two great-grandchildren, Jackson James Gaeta and Greyson John Gaeta, both of Amherst, New Hampshire.

She is also survived by her daughters-in-law, Jules Gaeta, wife of Dr. John J. Gaeta, D.D.S., and Lauren Gaeta, wife of Richard John Gaeta.

Josephine devoted her life to her family. A homemaker in the truest and finest sense of the word, she could affectionately be described as a professional life organizer—and she was fabulous at it. She had a remarkable ability to make life work, care for those around her, and keep her family well fed, well loved, and well cared for.

She was an extraordinary cook, and her kitchen was one of the places where her love was most clearly expressed. Through her cooking, guidance, and encouragement, Josephine nurtured the people she loved. She was deeply caring, endlessly positive, and a natural life coach whose wisdom and optimism guided her family through the years.

Josephine loved her family deeply. She loved God, loved her country, and was immensely proud to be an American. She belonged to a generation that valued hard work, family, perseverance, and gratitude—the generation often remembered as the Greatest Generation. She also found great joy in the simple beauty of the world around her: blue skies, the many shades of green in nature, and peaceful moments that reminded her how beautiful life can be.

Josephine’s greatest legacy is the family she built and the love she gave so freely. Her life was long, but more importantly, it was full. She leaves behind generations of family who will carry her love, lessons, recipes, optimism, and memory with them always. She will be deeply missed, forever loved, and never forgotten.

Viewing services will be held at Whitting Funeral Home, 300 Glen Cove Avenue, Glen Head, NY 11545, telephone 516-671-0807, on Thursday, September 10, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Final goodbyes will be held on Friday at Whitting Funeral Home from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.

Burial services will be held at Calverton Cemetery in Calverton, Long Island.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org