Justina A. Masters

Justina A. Masters (Covino)      Justina (Jay) Masters, 94, of Wilmington, Delaware, formerly of Buffalo, NY, died May 1, 2010. Justina was born August 20, 1915 to Aniello and Carmela (Fistola) Covino in Lackawanna, NY, the eldest of 7 children. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 63 years, Stanley J. Masters, a sister, Mary Rose Kurnick of Lackawanna, NY and her youngest brother John A. Covino of Wilmington, De.    Two sons, Dr. Joseph J. Masters and wife Carol of Roanoke, Va., Neil G. L. Masters and wife Alice of Mt. Vernon, NY and a daughter, Judith A. Verano of West Seneca, NY, survive Justina. She is further survived by 4 brothers, Carmen Covino of Hamburg, NY, Albert Covino and wife Doris of Orchard Park, NY, Joseph Covino of Dallas, Or and Cosmo Covino of St. Petersburg, Fla. Among the very special people in her life are 7 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. She was proud to have 8 GOD children, 13 nephews, 12 nieces, and numerous great nephews and nieces. Family was extremely important to Justina whose warmth, caring and concern for others extended to many beyond the family. No fewer than a dozen of the people Justina took into her life and heart throughout her lifetime also call her “Mom” or “Grandma”.    As a young woman Justina loved to dance attending a local Saturday night venue with her girlfriends where they participated in ballroom and square dancing.  Brother Albert’s best friend Stanley chauffeured all of them as he had the only automobile! Stanley fell in love with Justina and they were married November 21, 1940 in Lackawanna, NY. Together Justina and Stanley opened and operated the S & Jay Floral Shop and South Park Ballroom in Buffalo, NY from 1946 to 1966. Son Joseph pestered them for a “baby brother”, but in 1949 they adopted 2-year-old Judith welcoming her, including her and recognizing her as their very own daughter and sister. Son Neil, born in 1953, fulfilled Joseph’s longing for a brother.    Justina and Stanley were most generous and loving toward ALL family members, reaching out and offering financial and family support for a variety of needs whenever the occasion arose. Their generosity extended to others who when down on their luck stopped by the floral shop to ask for food and assistance. They often served meals consisting of coffee, soup and a sandwich to those who were hungry. They offered work in the floral shop or ballroom to family members who were out of work or just provided financial assistance until they could get themselves back on their feet.     In 1965, Justina and Stanley traveled to Europe to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. There they visited with Justina’s extended family still living in Italy. This proved to be a life transforming experience for both of them; inspiring a deeper curiosity and interest in learning that would last to the end of their lives. A great many people who met Justina in her latter years would remark about how up-to-date her thinking and knowledge of a variety of subjects was whenever they talked with her.    One of Justina’s great interests was cooking. Following her parent’s footsteps as a superb cook and baker of Italian cuisine she constantly searched for new recipes to try on her family. Until her most recent hospitalization she made dishes from scratch! Her particular specialties were homemade tomato sauce ravioli, gnocchi and pizzelles.    They moved to Wilmington, Delaware in 1978 to share a home with Justina’s bachelor brother John.  Upon their arrival in Wilmington, Justina and Stanley joined Sellers Senior Center. Like their visit to Europe membership at Sellers proved to be a life-transforming event for them. For the remainder of their lives they were devoted, stalwart members of this community where they enjoyed numerous friendships, travel opportunities, making ceramic dish sets for numerous family members and friends, line dancing, card playing, luncheons and so much more. At the time of her death Justina was the oldest and one of the most senior members of Sellers. Justina has requested donations be made to Sellers Senior Center, 500 Duncan Road, Wilmington, De. 19809.     Justina would not be deterred when she told of the brain’s limited capacity for recovery in 1978. Following Stanley’s second stroke; using only get well cards, a telephone book and common hand tools, persistence and determination, she developed many innovative exercises that allowed him to make remarkable recoveries from a total of 5 strokes that brought him a quality filled life for another 26 years. After Stanley’s death in 2004, John requested his sister to remain with him for as long as she desired. After John’s death in 2007, Justina remained deeply devoted and committed to preserving her brother’s legacy for his siblings for the remainder of her life.    Timothy J. Meyers of Walter J. Meyers Funeral Home has arranged a memorial viewing for family and friends to celebrate Justina’s life on Tuesday, May 4th from 1:00-4:00 PM at Hillcrest-Bellefonte United Methodist Church, 400 Hillcrest Avenue, Wilmington, DE.       Justina will be taken to her hometown of Lackawanna, NY where all her family and friends will gather at The Colonial Memorial Chapels, 3003 South Park Avenue to share their memories of Justina and Stanley.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Anthony’s Roman Catholic Church where every significant spiritual activity in Justina’s life has taken place. Entombment will be with her devoted and loving husband, Stanley, at Lakeside Memorial Park in Hamburg, NY.     Joseph, Judith and Neil wish to thank Drs. John DeCarli, George Davis and Karen McGhee, the medical teams at Wilmington General Hospital, the clinical staff and management team at Shipley Manor Healthcare Care Center, Mr. John R. Weaver, Jr. Teresa Dyer and David Burgess for the loving and compassionate advice, care and assistance afforded Justina to maintain her complete independence her entire life. Condolences may be made by visiting: www.meyersfh.com