JOSEPHINE MARY MUDANO TLSTY, 89, of Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina transitioned into the loving arms of God on May 12, 2012.

Jo will be greatly missed by her cherished and loving family: her children Mary Jo (& Paul), Thea (& Glenn), Theresa, Steven (& Maggie), and Theodore Junior (& Carol); her grandchildren Erika, Victoria, Timothy, and Andrew; and her brother and sister-in-law, Rosario Mudano and wife Belle; as well as many loved nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Salvatore and Maria Mudano and her loving husband of 52 years, Theodore Henry Tlsty.

Born in Hartford, CT, Jo grew up in Valley Stream, NY and graduated from Valley Stream Central High School, Class of 1941. Following graduation, she got a degree as a Registered Nurse from Bellevue Hospital School of Nursing, Class of 1945 and then proudly served in the U.S. Army as a 2nd Lt. in the Nurse Corps during WWII. After separating from the service, she met and married Theodore H. Tlsty and lived the life of an Air Force wife for over 25 years.

She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend to all who met her., a rare and gentle soul who was deeply loved by family and friends. She endured a lengthy illness and suffering with amazing grace, never complaining and always more concerned with others than with her own condition.

Although the focus of her life was her family, Jo also loved curling up with a good book, oil painting, and, most of all, music. Music was a part of her life in many different ways: singing in her high school chorus and throughout her life at the many opportunities offered, listening to her extensive music CD collection, and playing her organ. Later in life, she became a very computer-connected granny â?? emailing and Skyping with her family and playing hours of Klondike on her Macintosh.

She was a resident at Brighton Gardens in Raleigh for the last 4 years and, prior to that, at The Heritage. The family extends heartfelt appreciation to all the caregivers at these facilities for their compassion for and loving care of "Miss Jo". Heartfelt appreciation also goes to all the people from Hospice of Wake Forest for their compassion for and loving care of "Miss Jo".

Visitation and funeral services were held on Monday, May 14th at St. Raphael Catholic Church with Father Michael officiating. Burial with military honors will be held at a later date at the VA cemetery in Salisbury, NC.