Josephine Zamora Aquino

With heavy hearts, we share that Josephine Zamora Aquino, a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on June 30, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family. She was 73 years old.

Born on August 27, 1951, in Batangas City, Philippines, to Magdalena Dimaano Farol Zamora and Florencio Rosaria Zamora, Josephine earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from University of Sto. Tomas, Philippines, in 1971. She worked as a clinical instructor at UST following graduation until she left for the United States in 1976 for a position as a registered nurse in Kalamazoo, MI. Josephine returned to the Philippines after two years, then moved to New York, NY in 1980. She was employed as a registered nurse in the psychiatric unit at the Veterans Affairs Hospital and Bellevue Hospital for 40 years, while also working for Odyssey House and Jewish Home and Hospital intermittently. After retirement, she was an active parishioner of St. Paul Basilica in Daytona Beach, FL.

She married the love of her life, Joey Mejia Aquino, on February 14, 1983, and together they built a life grounded in love, laughter, and devotion. Their journey together spanned 42 years, filled with adventures, lasting memories, and a deep, enduring bond.

Above all else, Josephine loved being a mother. She raised her children — Kristen Marie Aquino Barsalona, Karen Megan Aquino, and Kevin Mark Aquino — with grace, wisdom, and unconditional love. Her presence was a comfort, her advice a guide, and her love a constant gift. She was also a proud and adoring grandmother to Arielle Carolina Barsalona, who will carry her stories and spirit with her always.

Josephine had a heart for caring for others. She never let anyone around her go without, whether it was her family, friends or patients, always sacrificing her time, money, comfort and convenience to make the people around her feel loved and cared for. Josephine lived as a devout Roman Catholic, who attended Mass every Sunday and prayed the rosary every night before bed. She enjoyed watching her favorite shows on TV, singing karaoke, playing the piano and guitar, dancing, shopping, going on vacation, celebrating big family parties, cooking huge meals for others, and making everyday moments feel special. Her sense of humor and talent for making others laugh will never be forgotten.

She is survived by her husband, Joey Aquino, her sisters, Angelina Glodo and Minerva Bautista, her brother, Nestor Zamora, her daughters, Kristen Barsalona and Karen Aquino, her son, Kevin Aquino, her son-in-law, Joseph Barsalona, and her granddaughter, Arielle Barsalona. She was reunited in peace with her parents, Magdalena and Florencio Zamora, and her brother, Arturo Zamora.

Though she is no longer with us in person, the love she gave, the lessons she shared, and the strength she embodied will live on in all of us. Josephine brought warmth and light into every room she entered. Her playful spirit and fierce tenacity shaped the lives of all who knew her. How lucky we were to be blessed with someone who loved so much and was so loved in return, to whom it is immensely painful to say goodbye. She will forever be deeply missed.