Obituary: Josefa Alvarez, age 90

Josefa Alvarez, “Fina”, 90, of Trumbull, beloved wife of the late Joseph Alvarez passed away at home on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Josefa was born in Havana, Cuba October 24, 1935 to the late Eduardo Lopez Lafuente and Manuela Diaz Naya. Josefa met the love of her life, Joseph, in 1954 on a blind date. They married on January 8, 1955 and moved to the United States where she lived for 71 years. Josefa never saw her parents again after the Cuban Revolution of 1959. This was a heartache for her but she never regretted following her husband, starting her family and living her life in the United States.

Josefa was well ahead of her time in the 1960’s as she managed to work a managerial job for Avon Products while raising two children. Josefa was a top Bridgeport Sales Manager for Avon Products for 30+ years earning many Circle of Excellence Awards and many trips all over the world. While working such a demanding job, Josefa never lost sight that her family came first. She loved her family fiercely, protectively and deeply with all her heart. Josefa was the center of our family who made every day a blessed day full of love, humor and support. Her love was a constant unwavering love that sustained her family during difficult times and magnified our joy during good times. Josefa demonstrated her deep love and devotion when our dad became very ill. She would work till 5:00 pm in Bridgeport then drive to Hartford every night for many weeks to be with her husband to encourage him and support him. When our dad passed away, in 1994, Josefa began a new phase of her life. Her deep faith allowed her to move forward and continue to be the shining light of our family. Josefa began embroidery as a hobby around this time. She was extremely talented and her embroidery pieces were exquisite. To receive a gift of her embroidery was a special honor. Josefa, now known by her grandchildren as Lala, showered her grandchildren with love and fun. To say she adored Joey and Jonny doesn’t fully recognize her love for them. Lala got an 800 phone number so her boys could call her from anywhere at anytime; and they did! Josefa now known as GG was so very happy the last few years to have lived long enough to know both of her great-grandchildren, Isabella Grace and Landon Joseph. GG established a beautiful and loving relationship with both of them. The person who brought her great joy, love and laughter the past 4 years was her son-in-law Bobby. Bobby could do no wrong in her eyes! My mom adored Bobby and talked to everyone about how wonderful Bobby was to her. Bobby reciprocated this love through his actions, by his kindness, his compassion and his wonderful sense of humor each and every single day.

My brother, Eddie and I were fortunate to grow up with such a wonderful mother. Our mother was loving, generous, funny, intelligent, supportive and a positive role model for both of us and our family. She was an example of how to live a meaningful and consequential life. Our mother will be deeply missed and forever loved.

Survivors include her daughter, Helen Moran and her husband Robert of Trumbull; her grandson Joseph Alan Alvarez and his wife Kelsey of Florida; her grandson Jonathan Edward Alvarez of New Hampshire; two great grandchildren Isabella Grace, of New Hampshire and Landon Joseph, of Florida; the mother of her grandchildren, Lisa Pellegrino; niece, Ines Avellan, nephew, Francisco Avellan of Spain, nephew, Jerry Rey; nephew, Alex Rey and his wife Myrna; and many beloved friends. Josefa is predeceased by her beloved son, Edward Alvarez.

Family and friends may call on Thursday, May 7th from 5:00pm-7:00pm in the Gregory Doyle Funeral Home, 291 Bridgeport Avenue, Milford, CT. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, May 8th at 10:00 am in Saint Ann Church (St. Raphael Parish) 501 Naugatuck Avenue, Milford. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Trumbull. The family would like to extend their heartfelt love and gratitude to her caregivers- Yanelquis, Sophia, Jackie and Loida-for the compassion and support they provided Josefa and their family during her last few years. Also to the Mozaic Adult Day Care staff who provided a loving and welcoming environment every week the last 4 years of her life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation or the Polycystic Kidney Foundation. To share a memory, please go to gregoryfdoylefuneralhome.com