Josephine M. Mowad

Josephine Marie Mowad of Danville, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully in her sleep, at her home, on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, at the age of 90. Born on Oct. 19, 1935, in Dunmore, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of the late Christopher and Mary Cardillo.
On June 24, 1961, she married the love of her life, the late Joseph Mowad, MD, beginning a devoted partnership that spanned 56 years. Known affectionately as "Jo" to most and "Grandma Jo" to many, her life was defined by a deep commitment to her family, faith, and service to others.
Over the span of her 90 years, Jo touched and strengthened every community she called home. Chosen as Miss Scranton Sales Day, she modeled at an early age. After graduation, she worked as a bookkeeper. Her life with her husband took them to several communities together. They first made their home in Harrisburg, where Jo worked as an office manager, and later in Pittsburgh, where she worked alongside her husband at Magee Women's Hospital. She subsequently resided in Baltimore, Maryland, before settling in Danville, Pennsylvania, where they raised their family and found a community that Jo embraced with her whole heart.
In Danville, Jo devoted herself wholeheartedly to service and the well-being of others. She helped establish the local food bank and became a dedicated parishioner of St. Joseph's Catholic Church. There, she helped form a youth group, supported parish fundraising efforts, served as a Eucharistic minister, cooked for 40 hours dinner every year and played a role in creating housing for an immigrant family sponsored by the parish. She was also deeply involved in volunteering at her children's schools, notably at St. Joseph's and St. Cyril Academy. Her spirit of service extended beyond church and school through her involvement with the Geisinger Auxiliary, her fundraising efforts for the Children's Miracle Network, her role as a founding member of Abigail's Attic, and the gift shop at Geisinger Children's Hospital. She served as the President of the Hospital Auxiliary, Vice President of the Medical Society Auxiliary, and President of Newcomers. Jo also played a significant role in her husband's many accomplishments. So much so that the mural at the Healing Garden at Geisinger Medical Center created in her husband's honor includes her initials in a heart on a tree, an acknowledgment of their love and her role in his success.
In addition to being a beautiful ballroom dancer with her husband, Jo was perhaps best known for the way she cared for people. She was generous with her time, her heart, and her kitchen — famous among family and friends for her home-cooked meals, her beloved Christmas cookies and Easter eggs. If someone was in need, Jo showed up without hesitation, often with food in hand and comfort freely given. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, and she remained surrounded by her loving family and dear friends until her passing. Her legacy lives on in the countless lives she nourished, comforted, and brought together through her kindness.
Josephine was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Joseph Mowad, MD, and her brother, Joseph Cardillo.
Josephine is survived by her sister, Rachel Cannon of Elkridge, Maryland; her daughter, Christen Mowad, MD, and son-in-law, Timothy Murphy, MD, of Danville, Pennsylvania, and their daughters, Christina Murphy, MD, and her husband, John Patrick Bruno, PhD of Philadelphia, and Joanna Murphy of Philadelphia; and her daughter, Nicole Mowad-Nassar, and son-in-law, Sany Nassar, and their sons, Joseph and Nicholas Nassar, of Lake Forest, Ill. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Danville, with the Reverend Charles Ocul, officiating. A visitation will be held from 9 to 11 a.m., inside St. Hubert's Chapel, within St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 68 Center Street, Danville. Burial will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Danville. A celebration of Josephine's life will be held, following graveside services, in the dining hall of St. Cyril Academy.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Cyril Academy Preschool and Kindergarten, a school and community dear to her heart, 1002 Railroad St., Danville, Pennsylvania.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Brady Funeral Home of Danville. Please send messages of remembrance and support to BradyFuneralHome.com.