Josephine Ann Ploszaj

Josephine Ann Ploszaj passed away on January 11, 2026. She was born on February 2, 1934, to Victor and Lucy Siatta in Calumet City, IL, a neighborhood located approximately 30 miles south of Chicago. She graduated from TF North High School in 1952. In March 1955, she attended a dance at the American Legion in Calumet City, IL, where she met Chester Ploszaj. Wasting no time, Chester asked Josephine to marry him, and she said “Yes!” on November 26, 1955. They celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary in 2023.

Chester and Josephine lived in a cottage near her parents until 1963, when they purchased their first home in Dalton, IL. During these years, Josephine worked as a punch-card operator in downtown Chicago. Needing more space for their growing family, they built their next home in Calumet City in 1965 with the help of her father, Victor. They made their home there and later adopted two children: Maria (born 1966) and Michael (born 1968).

In 1975, Chester and Josephine moved to Lansing, IL, where Josephine was primarily a homemaker and also worked various part-time jobs, including as a swim instructor at the YWCA in Hammond, IN, and a waitress at Chances R in Calumet City. Josephine had remarkable creative talents; she loved baking and designing beautiful birthday and wedding cakes as a side business. But sewing was a passion she carried throughout her lifetime. When her children were older, she began working full-time as a swim instructor at Mann Park in Hegewisch, IL. During this time, Chester and Josephine took the family to Camp Marydale in KY every year, bringing many fond memories to the whole family. Chester and Josephine were also active members of the Italian Catholic Federation (ICF) in Branch 195 – St. Victor Church, Calumet City, IL, and prepared for many St. Joseph Tables over the years.

In 1995, Josephine retired from Mann Park and moved with Chester to Sun Lakes, AZ. They spent the next 28 years enjoying visits from their children, grandchildren, and extended family, while also building lasting friendships and making many cherished memories. Josephine loved hosting get-togethers with friends and family and was the “hostess with the mostest”!

While living in Sun Lakes, she joined the Red Hat Society and became very active in her community. She worked part-time in her neighborhood restaurant and made lasting friendships. Josephine truly loved sewing, and she shared that gift in both her home and her community—including sewing her daughter Maria’s wedding gown, a treasured labor of love. She volunteered for many years at Chandler Regional Medical Center in Chandler, AZ, where she sewed heart pillows for the cardiology department. She also created and sewed christening gowns for unwed mothers to use for their babies, using donated wedding dresses. In addition, she sewed Christmas stockings for newborn babies and donated those as well. Her kindness, generosity, talent, and love of sewing touched many lives. Josephine remained a strong and passionate advocate for the Right to Life movement her entire life, attending many protests in front of abortion clinics.

Josephine is survived by her children, Maria (Terry) and Michael; five grandchildren, Alex, Cortney, Gabrielle, Nicholas, and Joshua; three great-grandchildren, Gavin, Jameson, and Myla Ragan; several beloved nieces and nephews, and wonderful friends. In addition to her parents and siblings, she was preceded in death by her husband, Chester. She was a devoted Catholic who remained faithful in prayer, especially through the Rosary. Josephine gave of herself unselfishly and was a shining light to those around her. She was loved by all, and will always be remembered.

Funeral Mass will be said on Monday, January 26th, 2026, at 9:30am with a Rosary at 9:00am at St. Juan Diego Catholic Church, 3200 S. Cooper Road, Chandler, AZ, followed by burial at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 2929 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Phoenix, AZ at 12:30 pm.