Josephine (Josie) M. Merante, a lifelong resident of Beacon and Cold Spring, died peacefully surrounded by her family on January 21, 2017 at Hudson Valley Hospital Center.

Josephine was born in Beacon and was the daughter of the late Michael and Bertha (Lewis) Centofant. On September 11, 1949 at St. John the Evangelist Church in Beacon, she married Thomas P. Merante. Her husband of 47 years predeceased her on August 24, 1996.

Josephine had been employed as a department technician at IBM in East Fishkill for 15 years until her retirement in 1985.

She had been a member of the Catholic Daughters of America at Our Lady of Loretto Church and the Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW in Cold Spring. She was a dedicated volunteer with many charities especially the American Cancer Society. Most of all, she was dedicated to her family, church, and friends.

She is survived by her daughters, Melinda Merante of Fairport, NY and Michele Wilcox and her husband George of Wappingers Falls, NY; her grandchildren whom she adored, Daniel Thomas Wilcox and his fiancée Nora Rosoff of Cold Spring, NY and Elizabeth Rachel Wilcox of New Orleans, LA and many nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be held on Wednesday from 11 am to 1 pm at the McHoul Funeral Home, Inc., 895 Route 82, Hopewell Junction followed by a funeral service at 1pm. Interment will be at Cold Spring Cemetery.

Donations may be made in Josephine's memory to the Alzheimer's Association. Please visit her Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.