Josephine Medina

Obituary of Josephine Medina

Josephine Medina, 87, longtime Palm Bay resident, proud mother, grandmother and great grandmother, peacefully passed away on Sunday, February 7, 2021, at the Melbourne Regional Hospital.

Josephine was born December 17, 1933 in Arecibo, Puerto Rico and migrated to New York City in the 1950’s where she first met the love of her life and husband of sixty years Roberto Medina.

A graduate of Julia Richmond High School in New York City and Bronx Community College Josephine retired from the New York City Board of Education after thirty years as a ESOL teacher.  She impacted so many children throughout her career and many of her students kept in touch well after their High School and College years. Her former students would often say her hugs, compassion, and willingness to take the time to listen to their concerns provided the guidance they needed to overcome tough hurdles.

Josephine was the matriarch of the Medina & Esteves family. She provided the leadership and “can-do attitude” to help her family succeed and set an example of community service for her children and grandchildren to follow. Josephine devoted many years as a volunteer for the Salvation Army & Las Damas De Palm Bay. One of her great joys was cooking and she passed on her family recipes by providing culinary lessons to all her family, friends and nieces.

Roberto and Josephine moved to Palm Bay in 1987 and together they established Roberto’s Barbershop, one of the first Latino Barbers in our community. Roberto & Josephine worshipped at EL Faro Church in Melbourne.

A loving and devoted mother, she is survived by her two sons J. Robert (Rob) Medina, wife Lissette Medina, Edgar R. Medina and wife Elizabeth Medina, Adopted Daughter Olga Jimenez, her husband Albert Jimenez, grandchildren, Robert L. Medina, Alexandria Medina, Breanna Casanova, Melissa Medina, Alison Medina, Edgar A. Medina, Samantha Medina, and step grandchildren DaJuan Archie, Teara Mia Esposito, Great-grandchildren Giovanni R. Medina, Alianna Addisyn Medina, Elijah Lee Medina, Kingsley Cassiel Medina, Ileana Arbelo, Kyler Vazquez, Avery Vazquez, Addisyn Tucker, Lane Tucker, Kiernan Medina and step great grandchildren Aubrey Hayden Sanborn, Elias Guerrier, Jesiah McAlister, Zamir Kipp and countless other children and young adults she mentored.

The celebration of life will be conducted on Wednesday, February 17, 2021 at 9:30 a.m.-11:00 am at Ammen Family Cremation and Funeral Care located at 950 Malabar Rd. SE Palm Bay 32907. Roberto & Josephine Medina will be interred together at Fountainhead Memorial Cemetery immediately after the service.