Josephine Ann CHESTER

Josephine Ann Chester of Saint Charles, MO passed away Monday, May 8th at the age of 90, surrounded in the loving care of family. Josephine, also known as Jo or Dodie was the daughter of Rocco and Mary Dettoli, sister of Rosemary LaScala and wife of James Arthur Chester. Although she had no children of her own, she fulfilled a role somewhere between aunt and mother in the lives of many of those close to her. Those that knew her felt her love which was as loud as her laughter. Jo grew up in South Saint Louis near The Hill, where she worked in her family’s restaurant, Dettoli Spaghetti House on South Jefferson Ave, wherein her family was among some of the first to introduce Italian cuisine to the Saint Louis area. She would often mention the time when she was asked by neighborhood children what her family was having for dinner. When Jo responded with an enthusiastic “Pizza!” the children reacted with laughter, gagging noises and “EEEWWW! What’s that?!” She would often tell the story over pizza or when a commercial for pizza was on TV. “I was so embarrassed about eating pizza.” She would say. In 1983 Josephine began working in the snack bar at Saint Charles Golf Course for what was supposed to be a temporary favor to the understaffed manager. She formed such bonds with the staff and customers that she ended up staying until its closing in 2005. Many of those close friendships lasted for the rest of Josephine’s life and she could scarcely go out in public without someone recognizing her from her time at the Golf Course. Jo and Jim’s home was always welcoming whether you needed a place to stay or were just stopping by. As you approached the front door, you were usually greeted by the sound of country music, the smell and popping sounds of fried food cooking in a skillet and a welcoming seat at the table. Jo and Jim were especially known for their yearly Christmas parties. Those Christmases hold special memories in the hearts of generations of family and friends that attended over the years. The greatest attribute of Jo and Jim was the impactful role they played in the lives of many by lending their home, time, resources and most of all their love to anyone that needed it, and did so lacking any sense of being inconvenienced. That gift of example will continue in the memories and actions of those impacted by their love, selflessness and generosity.

Josephine Ann CHESTER

March 12, 1933 - May 8, 2023