Josephine “Jo” Kennington, a Former Poughkeepsie Teacher, Dies at 96
Josephine “Jo” Kennington of Fanwood, NJ, previously of Scotch Plains, NJ passed away peacefully on August 28, 2017 in Overlook Hospital, Summit, NJ. She was 96 years old. Born in New York, NY in January of 1921, she was the third of seven children of Francesco and Filomena Tersillo.
Jo earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from NYU and enjoyed a career in education where she was fluent in 4 languages and taught foreign languages in Poughkeepsie, NY and Westfield, NJ. She later became a guidance counselor at Hillside High School in Hillside, NJ, where she met her husband Charles Kennington who was a high school science teacher and is now deceased.
Jo had many varied interests. She was an avid reader and loved traveling. She was a talented homebody, skilled in cooking, canning, sewing and crafts.
She is survived by two sisters, Lucia Pomarico of Newburgh, NY and Frances Tersillo of New Windsor, NY, sister-in-law Judy Tersillo of Newburgh, Charles’ children Pat Kura of Middlesex, NJ, Nancy Griffith of Rumson, NJ, Diane Fano of Oak Hill, VA, and Charles Kennington III of Beachwood, NJ, their spouses and children.
Jo had many nieces and nephews, including Maria D’Aquino and Damian DiVita; Frank, Anthony, and Thomas Tersillo, Phyllis Graziano, Judith Tersillo-Bracken, and Maria Clements; Michael and Susan Tersillo; Marietta Allen, Vincent. and Michael Pomarico, and grand nieces and nephews. Her friends included Mr and Mrs Don King, neighbors Bill and Jessie Wilkins and family, and Cheryl Wellington.
She is predeceased by sisters Mary DiVita and Lena Tersillo, two brothers, Aldo Tersillo and Michael Tersillo, and nephew, Aldo Tersillo.
Josephine’s wake will be held on Friday, September 1, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Brooks Funeral Home, 481 Gidney Avenue, Newburgh, NY 12550. A Catholic Mass will be celebrated for Josephine at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 145 Benkard Avenue, Newburgh, NY 12550 on Saturday, September 2 at 10am with interment immediately following at St. Francis Cemetery in New Windsor.
Jo quietly helped those in need and had a special interest in helping Veterans, children and seniors. In lieu of flowers, it would please her that donations be made to St. Mary’s Outreach, 111 Colden Hill Road, Newburgh, NY, a ministry with special feeding outreach programs that help over 1300 low income Veterans, seniors and families with children.