Official Obituary of
Josephine (Specioso) King
November 19, 1926 ~ July 27, 2025 (age 98) 98 Years Old
Josephine King Obituary
Josephine was born in Manhattan, New York on November 19, 1926 and died peacefully in her sleep in Beaumont, CA on July 27, 2025. As a child, she lived a simple life with her parents Concetta and Guiseppe Specioso, who were hard-working Sicilian Immigrants. She was predeceased by her parents, older sister Nancy DeGeorge, older brother James Savo, and younger sister Michelina (Lee) Salek.
Her passion for fashion and dress making started at an early age. She and her sisters would imagine places they would go and then look at magazines to pick out what they would be wearing. As a middle child, she wore hand-me-down clothes and never had anything of her own that was new, so she decided that she would have to do things for herself. When Singer came out with an electric sewing maching she begged her mother to save their dimes in order to buy one. Although her mother was reluctant, she eventually did and Jo made her first dress at the age of 12. She continued to develop this passion over the years. She earned a scholarship to St. Patrick's Cathedral High School but she chose to attend Washington Irving High School instead because it offered dress making classes. After High School, she went to work in the garment district as a piece worker. She commented that the other workers weren't happy with her because she worked fast and the quality of her work was superb, setting the bar high for others to meet.
Besides dress design and dress making, Jo's favorite thing to do was to dance. Before she was old enough to attend the dances herself, she and her sister would watch through the window and then go home to practice the dance steps. By the time she was old enough to go to the dances, she had become a very good dancer and the boys all wanted to dance with her. After World War II ended, she met her one true love, Bart Battaglia (deceased) at one of those dances. She was wearing flats at the time and he commented that he thought she was "supposed to be a good dancer". That infuriated her and she was determined to prove him wrong so then she started wearing heels. It was on the dance floor that he told her he wanted to make her his partner for life. Their favorite place to go dancing was at the Roseland Ballroom, where many celebrities went. Mom and Dad won several dance competitions and throughout the years, many thought they were professional dancers. Jo & Bart loved to take cruises and dance every night. Many passengers thought they were part of the entertainment.
Jo married Bart on January 26, 1947 in New York City. They shared the same values and interests so they never fought. They were eager to start a family together and their son Anthony and daughter Phyllis were born. Family meant everything and together they worked hard to give them a better life. When Phyllis was 6 months old, they left New York City and moved to Rensselaer, a suburb of Albany, NY. Bart would need to travel at times for his job, sometimes for 2 weeks at a time leaving her with $15 for food. She told me about going through the phonebook calling people and informing them that she was a seamstress and asked for work, in order to earn money to supplement what she had. Her resourcefulness began in grammar school. She saw nuns selling cookies for 5 cents at recess so she competed with them by selling cookies 2 for 5 cents. She said they never scolded her for it.
She later worked for the Country Miss, an upscale dress shop doing alterations and custom work. She learned quickly that fitting clothes properly helped to sell more clothes. She utilized this valuable information when she would later go into business with her husband, Bart. Since he was an accountant, they made a great team. Being tired of the New York winters and after having visited Jo's brother Jim in CA, Bart took a 1 year sabbatical from his job and moved to Hayward, CA where Jim lived. Unforunately they were homesick for family so they returned to New York at the end of his sabbatical. In 1964, they both quit their jobs and moved back to CA. They both were confident in their abilities and with their faith in God, they believed they could accomplish anything.This is when they started their own business naming it after their children, Phyllis Anthony Distinctive Fashions. Initially, Jo designed and made one of a kind dresses and they started with an inventory of 200 in different sizes. It didn't take long before she needed to go to market to purchase inventory. However, it was the personal touch that made them successful. Jo would help each customer select items in the best color and style that would be the most flattering. She would assist them in the dressing room and fit the clothes so they were perfect for them. Later she expanded her inventory to include jewelry, scarves and belts to accessorize and compliment the outfit for a complete look. The store had comfortable club chairs for the husbands waiting and they were served coffee, while Bart engaged them in conversation. It truly was a unique shopping experience. Besides altering the clothing she sold, she continued to design and sell custom clothing. She later expanded her inventory to include formal wear and wedding gowns. They sold the business 5 years later and retired at a young age. Jo was a fashion icon throughout her life. Everything was color coordinated, including her purse and her shoes right up until the end of her life.
Besides her love for her family, God played a vital role. She practiced her Catholic faith, prayed daily and received the sacraments. She put her trust in Christ completely and would pray to Him to give her a sign so clearly that it could not be mistaken whenever she had to make a decision or was unsure what to do. She said it always helped. She made sure that her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren shared her faith, values and love of Christ. She was grateful to the Lord for all of the talents and abilities given to each of us. She taught each of us to not waste those gifts, and to develop them to lead the best life we can. She would often say that without God, we are nothing.
Jo's other interests included needlework art, reading and playing canasta with friends. Her favorite color was hot pink. Her favorite flower was gardenias, and her favorite food was cannoli. She liked routines, which became traditions in some sense. When Anthony & Phyllis were growing up, we went to church every Sunday, then an afternoon drive followed by homemade chicken soup and chicken with tomato sauce and oregano. Since it was just the 4 of us for holidays, Jo would try to make it fun and special. Christmas Eve she would serve Foccacia Bread with pepperoni and we would play games. She bought large plastic horses and put numbers on them and made a felt racetrack for us to have races. Then on Chistmas Day we would go to church, open presents and have Lasagna for dinner and her delicious homemade Cannoli for dessert. She continued to make Cannoli for Christmas every year, which was always requested by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Jo was happily married to Bart for 50 years. After he died in 1997, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. At first she was resigned to the fact that she might die because she would be reunited with Bart. However, she recovered and later found joy again by attending singles dances. She felt young again because she was pursued my many men. She found love a second time and married John King on Sept. 2, 2001. He was very different from Bart as he enjoyed traveling by motor home and liked to square dance, which were not Jo's cup of tea. John put Jo on a pedestal and treated her very well. They were happily married for 10 years, before he died in 2011.
Jo is survived by her son Anthony Battaglia and daughter Phyllis Noreika, daughter-in-law Suzanne Battaglia, grandsons Bart Battaglia, Matt Battaglia, Jeff Brian and granddaughters Lisa Leone and Dana Battaglia. She is also survived by her granddaughters-in-law Christy Brian and Martha Battaglia and grandson-in-law James Leone. Additionally, she is survived by 10 great grandchildren: Tori Leone, Anthony Battaglia, Brian Leone, Olivia Battaglia, Michael Leone, Caitlyn Leone, Elena Brian, Sean Brian, Enzo Blaudeau and Leo Blaudeau as well as other loving family and friends.
A funeral mass will be held at 10:30am on August 7, 2025 at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Community, 1234 Palm Ave., Beaumont, CA 92223. A Celebration of Life will follow from 12:00 - 3:00pm at the Four Seasons Beaumont Lodge, RCN Bldg., 1518 Four Seasons Circle, Beaumont, CA 92223. Burial will take place at 11:30am on August 8, 2025 at Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 2930 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa, CA 95404. Celebration of Life to follow 12:15-3:15pm at Iron & Vine Restaurant, Sunset Room, Bennett Valley Golf Course, 3330 Yulupa Ave., Santa Rosa, CA 95405
In lieu of flowers, please kindly contribute to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
Her passion for fashion and dress making started at an early age. She and her sisters would imagine places they would go and then look at magazines to pick out what they would be wearing. As a middle child, she wore hand-me-down clothes and never had anything of her own that was new, so she decided that she would have to do things for herself. When Singer came out with an electric sewing maching she begged her mother to save their dimes in order to buy one. Although her mother was reluctant, she eventually did and Jo made her first dress at the age of 12. She continued to develop this passion over the years. She earned a scholarship to St. Patrick's Cathedral High School but she chose to attend Washington Irving High School instead because it offered dress making classes. After High School, she went to work in the garment district as a piece worker. She commented that the other workers weren't happy with her because she worked fast and the quality of her work was superb, setting the bar high for others to meet.
Besides dress design and dress making, Jo's favorite thing to do was to dance. Before she was old enough to attend the dances herself, she and her sister would watch through the window and then go home to practice the dance steps. By the time she was old enough to go to the dances, she had become a very good dancer and the boys all wanted to dance with her. After World War II ended, she met her one true love, Bart Battaglia (deceased) at one of those dances. She was wearing flats at the time and he commented that he thought she was "supposed to be a good dancer". That infuriated her and she was determined to prove him wrong so then she started wearing heels. It was on the dance floor that he told her he wanted to make her his partner for life. Their favorite place to go dancing was at the Roseland Ballroom, where many celebrities went. Mom and Dad won several dance competitions and throughout the years, many thought they were professional dancers. Jo & Bart loved to take cruises and dance every night. Many passengers thought they were part of the entertainment.
Jo married Bart on January 26, 1947 in New York City. They shared the same values and interests so they never fought. They were eager to start a family together and their son Anthony and daughter Phyllis were born. Family meant everything and together they worked hard to give them a better life. When Phyllis was 6 months old, they left New York City and moved to Rensselaer, a suburb of Albany, NY. Bart would need to travel at times for his job, sometimes for 2 weeks at a time leaving her with $15 for food. She told me about going through the phonebook calling people and informing them that she was a seamstress and asked for work, in order to earn money to supplement what she had. Her resourcefulness began in grammar school. She saw nuns selling cookies for 5 cents at recess so she competed with them by selling cookies 2 for 5 cents. She said they never scolded her for it.
She later worked for the Country Miss, an upscale dress shop doing alterations and custom work. She learned quickly that fitting clothes properly helped to sell more clothes. She utilized this valuable information when she would later go into business with her husband, Bart. Since he was an accountant, they made a great team. Being tired of the New York winters and after having visited Jo's brother Jim in CA, Bart took a 1 year sabbatical from his job and moved to Hayward, CA where Jim lived. Unforunately they were homesick for family so they returned to New York at the end of his sabbatical. In 1964, they both quit their jobs and moved back to CA. They both were confident in their abilities and with their faith in God, they believed they could accomplish anything.This is when they started their own business naming it after their children, Phyllis Anthony Distinctive Fashions. Initially, Jo designed and made one of a kind dresses and they started with an inventory of 200 in different sizes. It didn't take long before she needed to go to market to purchase inventory. However, it was the personal touch that made them successful. Jo would help each customer select items in the best color and style that would be the most flattering. She would assist them in the dressing room and fit the clothes so they were perfect for them. Later she expanded her inventory to include jewelry, scarves and belts to accessorize and compliment the outfit for a complete look. The store had comfortable club chairs for the husbands waiting and they were served coffee, while Bart engaged them in conversation. It truly was a unique shopping experience. Besides altering the clothing she sold, she continued to design and sell custom clothing. She later expanded her inventory to include formal wear and wedding gowns. They sold the business 5 years later and retired at a young age. Jo was a fashion icon throughout her life. Everything was color coordinated, including her purse and her shoes right up until the end of her life.
Besides her love for her family, God played a vital role. She practiced her Catholic faith, prayed daily and received the sacraments. She put her trust in Christ completely and would pray to Him to give her a sign so clearly that it could not be mistaken whenever she had to make a decision or was unsure what to do. She said it always helped. She made sure that her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren shared her faith, values and love of Christ. She was grateful to the Lord for all of the talents and abilities given to each of us. She taught each of us to not waste those gifts, and to develop them to lead the best life we can. She would often say that without God, we are nothing.
Jo's other interests included needlework art, reading and playing canasta with friends. Her favorite color was hot pink. Her favorite flower was gardenias, and her favorite food was cannoli. She liked routines, which became traditions in some sense. When Anthony & Phyllis were growing up, we went to church every Sunday, then an afternoon drive followed by homemade chicken soup and chicken with tomato sauce and oregano. Since it was just the 4 of us for holidays, Jo would try to make it fun and special. Christmas Eve she would serve Foccacia Bread with pepperoni and we would play games. She bought large plastic horses and put numbers on them and made a felt racetrack for us to have races. Then on Chistmas Day we would go to church, open presents and have Lasagna for dinner and her delicious homemade Cannoli for dessert. She continued to make Cannoli for Christmas every year, which was always requested by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Jo was happily married to Bart for 50 years. After he died in 1997, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. At first she was resigned to the fact that she might die because she would be reunited with Bart. However, she recovered and later found joy again by attending singles dances. She felt young again because she was pursued my many men. She found love a second time and married John King on Sept. 2, 2001. He was very different from Bart as he enjoyed traveling by motor home and liked to square dance, which were not Jo's cup of tea. John put Jo on a pedestal and treated her very well. They were happily married for 10 years, before he died in 2011.
Jo is survived by her son Anthony Battaglia and daughter Phyllis Noreika, daughter-in-law Suzanne Battaglia, grandsons Bart Battaglia, Matt Battaglia, Jeff Brian and granddaughters Lisa Leone and Dana Battaglia. She is also survived by her granddaughters-in-law Christy Brian and Martha Battaglia and grandson-in-law James Leone. Additionally, she is survived by 10 great grandchildren: Tori Leone, Anthony Battaglia, Brian Leone, Olivia Battaglia, Michael Leone, Caitlyn Leone, Elena Brian, Sean Brian, Enzo Blaudeau and Leo Blaudeau as well as other loving family and friends.
A funeral mass will be held at 10:30am on August 7, 2025 at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Community, 1234 Palm Ave., Beaumont, CA 92223. A Celebration of Life will follow from 12:00 - 3:00pm at the Four Seasons Beaumont Lodge, RCN Bldg., 1518 Four Seasons Circle, Beaumont, CA 92223. Burial will take place at 11:30am on August 8, 2025 at Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 2930 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa, CA 95404. Celebration of Life to follow 12:15-3:15pm at Iron & Vine Restaurant, Sunset Room, Bennett Valley Golf Course, 3330 Yulupa Ave., Santa Rosa, CA 95405
In lieu of flowers, please kindly contribute to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Josephine (Specioso) King, please visit our floral store.
© 2026 Wiefels & Son Mortuary. All Rights Reserved. Funeral Home website by CFS & TA | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Accessibility