Josephine Chamberlain

Josephine Dorothy Chamberlain (Wargo) passed away into God’s loving and eternal care on April 19, 2025 at Allied Services Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Josie had a deep strong faith and was a member of St. Thomas More Church in Lake Ariel and a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Archbald.

Affectionately known as “Screamer” by her loving husband Richard Chamberlain who preceded her in death in 2019. She was a beautiful smart lady who caught Richard’s eyes and were married for 65 years. After graduating from Lake Ariel High School, she moved to Cleveland and went to work at Ohio Bell Telephone as a switchboard operator. She transferred to work in Scranton and was courted by Richard. They had a partnership built on trust, love and unwavering commitment. During the 60’s and 70’s she and her family enjoyed adventurous camping trips with the Yablonskis’. Through the years, Barbara Yablonski and Josephine became best of friends. Josie enjoyed playing cards and taking bus trips to the casinos. She had a sharp wit and keen mind, always trying to figure out how something worked.

She was very resourceful and no stranger to hard work.  During her lifetime, she loved and took care of many farm animals as well as her own dogs and cats. She was an expert seamstress, who had several industrial sewing machines set up in her basement. There was always a sewing project that required her skills. Until the last couple of years, Josie nourished and maintained a large thriving vegetable and flower garden. She did her own canning and utilized organic practices before it became popular. During the spring and summer, you would see both Josie and Richard on their John Deere mowers cutting the grass. This was a quite a sight, seeing octogenarians on matching mowers.

Josephine is survived by sons James of Texas, Lawrence of New Jersey, Garry and his wife May Lynch of New Jersey; daughter Kelly and her husband Richard Ulbaldini of Cortez; family guardian Kenneth Anderson of Cortez; grandchildren, Sara Hreha (Justin), Christina Hagan (Timothy), Grant, Courteney, Nicholas, and Christopher Chamberlain; great-grandchildren Natalie Hreha and Jack Hagan; several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Andrew and Anna Wargo (Ruddy), and husband Richard, she was predeceased by her daughter Donna Lee Chamberlain (aka Da Queen); sisters Anne Lange, Julia Wichmann and Mary Dupay; brothers Andrew and Edward Wargo.

Josephine lived a life full of purpose and love, and her absence will be deeply felt by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.

The family would like to thank the staff at Allied Services for the care that was given to our mother. We also want to thank all of our neighbors and friends who provided care, supported or visited mom during her past few years.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, May 2, 2025 at 10am in the St Thomas More Church 105 Gravity Rd. Lake Ariel by Rev. Stephen Bosomafi, Pastor.

Friends may call Friday morning from 8:30am until 9:45am in the James Wilson Funeral Home 143 Gravity Rd. Lake Ariel, PA.

Interment, Kizer Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Josie’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. P.O. Box 96011 Washington, DC 20090-6011.  https://www.alz.org