Giuseppina "Josie" Descloux Dean was born on September 19, 1921. The oldest of 9 children, she was raised by her parents, Enrico Descloux and Maria Baldassare, in her hometown of Naples in the Campania region of Italy. Her father held leadership in the Carabinieri and her mother was a shop owner. Josie was an excellent student, who loved her family and her country. As a teenager she began working in telecommunications as a phone operator for her area. She worked for seven years for the phone company. This placed her in an essential position during World War II as she worked with both Italian and later, American military officials in order to ensure information was transmitted properly.

It was there that she met Harold Alfred Dean, an American soldier who she would go on to marry. In 1946 she became one of the first war brides to arrive in Pontiac, Michigan, where she and Harold grew their family. They had three daughters, Maria, Rita, and Janice, who were Josie's pride and joy. As she raised her children, Josie was active in the local Pontiac schools, participating in the PTA, volunteering in the school library, and assisting with fundraising. She also assisted with teaching US Citizenship classes. Harold and Josie were married for more than 60 years, until he passed from this life in 2006.

A woman of deep faith, Josie was a member of St. Michael parish in Pontiac for more than 70 years. She was also active in supporting the establishment of the National Centre for Padre Pio in Barto, Pennsylvania. She often commented that her faith sustained her throughout her life.

Josie was incredibly loyal to her loved ones, with a generous spirit and a brilliant mind. She took great joy in helping raise her many grandchildren. She had an appreciation for art, music, history, and literature and loved to engage in challenging conversations. She was opinionated, with a quick tongue, and a huge heart. She was in many ways traditional, holding herself to high expectations and walked through the world with a sense of dignity and elegance. She also affirmed the dignity of others with her acceptance and love, even when she did not agree with them.

Giuseppina Descloux Dean moved on to her heavenly home on November 30, 2021, two months after celebrating her 100th birthday. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Giuseppe(Tina) Descloux, Gaetano Descloux, Giovanni Descloux, and Egidio (Giulielmina) Descloux, and her daughter Maria (Lawrence) Marino, who recently passed on July 30, 2021. She is survived by her daughters, Rita (William) Hupka, and Janice (Piétro) Dean, siblings Mario Descloux, Linda Descloux, and Lucia (Nunzio) Ioime, and grandchildren Angela (Piétro ) Semifero, Teresa (Chris Paradee) Hupka, James Marino, Dawn (Shaun) Warner, Dean (Gabriella) Marino, Todd (Jennifer) Marino, Tracy (Jennifer) Marino, Scott Marino, Christa Perez, Enrico Perez, Tovah Perez, Sarah Perez, Marco Perez, numerous great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.

The Oakland Press recently celebrated Josephine's life in an article about her 100th birthday. https://www.theoaklandpress.com/2021/11/15/a-military-legacy-continues-for-local-family-as-matriarch-war-bride-turns-100/