Josephine A. Grose

July 27, 1923 - December 30, 2021

Josephine Anne (Ponticello) Machlin Grose, died peacefully at age 98, on Thursday December 30, 2021, at home surrounded by family and loved ones. Born on July 27, 1923, in Canastota, NY, Jo was the third daughter of Guy and Teresa (Sorbello) Ponticello who had both emigrated from Sicily. She moved to New York City after graduating from Skidmore College with a degree in Psychology. Jo worked as a photo editor at Vogue and Glamour magazines, and as a photographic assistant. In 1950 she married photographer and artist Sheldon M. Machlin. They had one daughter, Nina, and moved to Brooklyn, NY where she lived for many years. In 1960 she enrolled at Bank Street College of Education where she got a master’s in early childhood development and education, and where she taught 3 – 4 year olds in the Bank Street School for Children for many years. While there she mentored many gifted teachers who continued to be in her life until the day she died. While at Banks Street she met the Principal of the School for Children, Laurence “Larry” Grose who she married in 1971. In 1972 she became the director of the Nevins Day Care Center and After School program bringing care, education, and support to hundreds of families in the downtown Brooklyn area. In 1976 she and Larry moved to Hatfield, MA. Before retiring she did many things in this area, including working for Head Start in Northampton, and being the director of the lab school for Greenfield Community College. After retiring she and Larry enjoyed every minute of their life together until his death in 2005. A very creative person, Jo loved all needle arts, science, psychology, nature, reading, and politics. She loved to laugh, and she could find something to enjoy in every person or thing she encountered. She lived a life of love, kindness, and joy, endlessly interested in everything and everyone. She will be missed by many people whose lives she touched. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Nina Machlin Dayton and Trevor Dayton and her beloved granddaughter Annie Dayton, all of Hatfield, as well as by her three living step-children - Richard Grose of NYC, Deborah Grose of Boston, and Jody Grose of CT, Jody’s children Sarah and Tucker Grose, and a million friends and loved ones. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her sisters; Sally Ponticello and Eva Thoby-Marcelin, first husband, Sheldon Machlin; step-daughter Barbara Grose; and the love of her life, her husband Larry Grose. To know Jo was to love her. She will be missed by so many. Donations in her memory can be made to any organizations that support children, animals, nature, or social justice causes. All services will be private. DROZDAL FUNERAL HOME of Northampton has been entrusted with her services. For more information, or to leave the family a personal condolence, please visit Drozdalfuneralhome.com.