Obituary: Josephine A. Cerro

MADISON - Josephine A. Cerro, age 86, passed away peacefully on Aug. 9, 2009. Jo was born in Madison on May 7, 1923 the daughter of Callisto (Joseph) and Domenica Cerro. Jo graduated from Central High School. She worked at the UW - Madison Registrar's office for 39 years until her retirement in 1986. She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Nicolina Dobson and Anne Gaitan; and two brothers, Frank and Sam. She is survived by her beloved niece and caregiver, Pat Gaitan; her brother, John (Pauline) Cerro; sister-in-law, Alice Cerro; her two part-time caregivers, niece, Nancy Bills and great-niece, Tina Redders; and many other nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews and great-great-nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank Alice Waetli, her long time caregiver and companion, for her wonderful care as well as the staff at the Middleton Village Nursing Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009 at OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 401 S. Owen Drive, Madison, with Monsignor Dan Ganshert officiating. A visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of services on Thursday at church. Burial will follow at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Multicultural Center in Madison, c/o Queen of Peace Catholic Church. Jo was a very special aunt and will be missed greatly. "Be not afraid. I go before you always. Come follow Me, and I will give you rest."
Cress Funeral and Cremation Service 3610 Speedway Road (608) 238-3434

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on August 11, 2009