Josephine F. Harger, 87, of Shrewsbury

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Josephine F. HargerShrewsbury – Josephine F. “Fina” (Catanzaro) Harger, 87, of Shrewsbury and formerly of Chelmsford and Tyngsborough, passed away peacefully on the morning of Feb. 10, 2021 in the comfort of her home, with her family at her side. She was the devoted wife of the late Robert A. “Bob” Harger, who passed in September 2020.

Fina leaves her loving daughters, Sharon L. Ricciardi and her husband James of Boylston and Sandra L. Harger, of Concord, N.H.; her wonderful grandchildren, Gena Ricciardi and her wife Bailey Andrews, James Ricciardi and his partner Tori Fratantonio, and Lauren Ricciardi and her fiancé Aaron Blanchard; and many nieces, nephews, and close family friends, including Jackie and Joseph Buonopane of Sharon. Along with her husband and parents, the late Joseph and Mary (Bommarito) Catanzaro, she was predeceased by her eight older siblings, Jasper, Frank, Bernard, James, Mary, Constance, Jenny, and Katherine.

Born and educated in Rome, N.Y., Fina was a graduate of Rome Free Academy, before moving east to Massachusetts. She married Bob, the love of her life, on Aug. 13, 1955, after he passed a note to her at a coffee shop ten months prior. The pair settled in Chelmsford and then Tyngsborough, creating a wonderful life and home.

Fina held various positions at local businesses, first as Head Teller of Commerce Bank in Chelmsford, then as a travel agent, and lastly, in Accounts Payable at Vesper Country Club in Tyngsborough.

She and Bob enjoyed the Elks dances, many international trips, Cape Cod and Florida vacations, and living in Japan for a couple of years.

Above all else, being a warm and loving homemaker for Fina’s children and their children was her most prized position. “Nana” always loved being an integral part of her grandchildren’s lives; she was their biggest fan and followed their academics and sports faithfully.

Fina was a talented painter and crafter, famous for jams and preserves, and cooking meals for friends and family. She had great style both externally and internally and knew who she was and how she saw the world. She had grace and class. She will be deeply missed, but never forgotten – her legacy of love lives on.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 (www.stjude.org/donate).

Services will be held privately for Fina’s immediate family, and she will be laid to rest with her beloved Bob in Pine Grove Cemetery, Boylston. The Britton-Shrewsbury Funeral Home, 648 Main St., Shrewsbury, is honored to be assisting with arrangements.

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