Josephine "Jo" Lacey

Josephine “Jo” (Donovan) Lacey of Quincy, a devoted step-mother, step-grandmother and loyal friend, passed away peacefully at The Allerton House Assisted Living in Hingham on December 31, 2025, surrounded by family and friends. Born in Dorchester on July 14, 1932, she was the daughter of the late John and Barbara Donovan of Ireland.

Josephine was preceded in death by her loving husband James Bernard Lacey, Sr. of County Wexford, Ireland. She was the beloved step-mother of Eileen Lacey Trahan and her husband Emery of Easton, MA; James Lacey and his wife Ellen of Marshfield,MA ; Kathleen Lacey Colman and her husband Stephen, and their daughters Kaitlin and Ashley Colman of Norwell, MA.

Josephine was a dedicated employee of New England Telephone, retiring in 1991 after 40 years of service. She was also a friendly presence at both the Irish Immigration Center and Irish Pastoral Center, where she volunteered for many years. She made countless friends along the way, including Sandra Castelluccio and Catherine Bradfield.

A true Irish women and proud to be one, Josephine spent much of her free time attending various Irish dances in the greater Boston area with her “wingwoman” Pat Moran. To know Jo is to love Jo.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. John the Baptist Church, 44 School St. Quincy, MA on Wednesday January 7, 2026 at 11am. Burial in Pine Hill Cemetery, Quincy. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Irish Pastoral Centre, ipcboston.org.