Josephine Welly

Josephine Welly, 91, a longtime Mentor resident, died on January 18, 2026, in her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born on October 31, 1934, in Cleveland’s Little Italy to Italian immigrants John and Jennie Dabato, the youngest of four sisters. Josephine married Robert Welly in 1962 at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Cleveland, and they shared 5 wonderful children, 11 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. Josephine devoted her life to her family and bettering her community. She was heavily involved with the Lake County Board of Developmental Disabilities and Broadmoor School, starting when her daughter, Robin, was a student. Most recently, she enjoyed volunteering with the Christ Child Society at their Clothing Cottage. She loved attending her grandchildren's extracurricular events, and spent many hours at baseball, football, volleyball, and basketball games, cheerleading competitions, and band concerts. A lifelong Cleveland sports fan, you could find Josephine cheering on the Guardians, Browns, and Cavaliers, usually with a beer in hand. Josephine’s home was a hub for family gatherings, which were never complete without too much food and games of kick-the-can and pinochle. Josephine is survived by her children, David (Misty) Welly, Matt (Elizabeth) Welly, and Kathleen (Jamie) Buzzanca; grandchildren, Kaitlynn (Paul) Chiusano, Carrington (Austin) Kroll, Jacob Welly, Madelyn Welly, Stella Welly, Ashley Buzzanca, Emily (Craig) Neltner, Megan Buzzanca, Christopher Buzzanca, Robert (Kristen) Welly, and Nicholas (fiancée, Jennifer Kovacic) Welly; great-grandchildren, Sebastian Welly and Collins Kroll; and her sister, Lee Peterson. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Welly; son, Daniel Welly; daughter, Robin Welly; parents, John and Jennie Dabato; and her sisters, Manny White and Pat Zadd. The family will receive friends from 4-8 p.m. Friday, January 23, 2026, at the Brunner Sanden Deitrick Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 8466 Mentor Ave., Mentor, OH 44060. A funeral Mass to honor Josephine’s life will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, January 24, 2026, at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 8560 Mentor Ave., Mentor Ave., Mentor, OH 44060 (please meet at the church). Interment will be in All Souls Cemetery, Chardon. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Christ Child Society, 9324 Mentor Ave., Mentor, OH 44060. Please offer condolences at www.brunners.com.

Josephine Welly

October 31, 1934 - January 18, 2026