Josephine Barbara Kealey (Stuart)

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Josephine Kealey (Stuart). She passed peacefully, at home on Thursday, September 11th, 2025.

The only child of John and Elizabeth (Kopsco) Stuart (Sorrentino), she was born in Bridgeport CT on October 9th, 1943. Excelling in academics, she graduated from Notre Dame Catholic High School with honors and was the first in our family to attend college earning her degree from the Fones School of Dental Hygiene in 1963. She proudly remained active in her profession until COVID having never let her certification lapse. She was also Licensed to practice Dental Hygiene in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Vermont and Hawaii.

A true trailblazer who could do anything, she was a co-founder, and the "Jo" in the family business, Den-Jo Automatic Transmissions which she owned and operated for 30 years in Stratford Connecticut. She was also an active real estate agent in Fairfield County Connecticut for many years enjoying her time with Sotheby's.

Later in life she discovered a love of travel visiting multiple countries with friends and family. She spent several years enjoying island life in Honolulu - Waikiki Hawaii and spent her 75th birthday dinner with both of her boys overlooking the Eiffel Tower. Later she would find a deep appreciation for Florence Italy where she would go to celebrate her birth month.

Always giving back, she loved to volunteer and be active in the community.
- She was a founding member of the Black Rock Arts Center in Bridgeport Connecticut.
- She served as secretary for the Greenfield Hill Improvement Society in Fairfield Connecticut.
- She was part of the AARP petition at the State Capital in Connecticut.
- After 9/11 she was an member of the Connecticut Disaster Identification Response Team (D.I.R.T.).
- She was part of the first women's build for Habitat for Humanity in Bridgeport Ct.
- With a deep appreciation for Cape Cod, she volunteered her dental hygiene skills to help those with HIV/AIDS.
- She was an active volunteer for the Unitarian Universalist Meeting House in Provincetown Massachusetts and always loved volunteering for "Drag Bingo".
- While living in Hawaii she was part of the Hawaii Medical Reserve Corps.
- She also volunteered her time for Habitat for Humanity - Hawaii.
- She was a Philoptochos (friends of the poor), volunteering for St. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Pacific.

Returning to Cape Cod, she spent her final years enjoying the outer Cape and Hyannis where she was an usher at the Melody Tent allowing her to still be active in the community.

She is survived by several beloved cousins in CT and FL, her sons Christopher Kealey, Shaun Sorrentino and his wife Michelle, and her adored granddaughters Madison and Malorie.

Mom was the strongest woman I've ever known. She lived life to its absolute fullest collecting experiences and memories, touching lives and making friends everywhere she went. Mom always put her family first.

We love you, Mom. You will be greatly missed, and your life will be celebrated forever.

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