Josephine (Samchuck) Lapic, 96, of New Brighton, passed away on February 15th, 2025, surrounded by her four devoted sons and their loving wives.

She was born in Freedom on September 11th, 1928, the daughter of Joseph and Anna (Dyrwal) Samchuck.

After graduating from Rochester High School, she went to work for Bell Telephone Company during WWII. She soon met Paul, the love of her life, a WWII US Navy veteran, at her uncle’s wedding. Paul was soon mobilized for service in China during the Korean War. Josephine lived in their unfinished house learning about country life. On his safe return, the small-town girl and the farm boy raised four rambunctious boys. During those years, she took a position at K-Mart where she retired with 10 years of service.

With their love of the land, and the instigation of Paul’s brother John, they soon started to experiment with grape growing. Winning wine awards made with their own grapes! This led them to open the Lapic Winery in 1977. They would be proudly granted the first Limited Winery license in Southwestern Pennsylvania since the Harmony Society. Josephine’s wonderful personality was a perfect fit to manage this award-winning commercial winery for the next 30 years.

One of her favorite memories were the friends they made and the customers who faithfully returned for their wine year after year.

She was blessed with 12 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. She loved them all and remembered their birthdays and special occasions with cards and gifts.

Her home was full of life from the beautiful plants and flowers inside and out to the many celebrations we enjoyed in her home.

We are grateful and send our thanks to Good Samaritan Hospice who walked with us through her final days. We would also like to send a special “Thank you” to Josh Lapic for the hours spent taking care of her so that she was able to keep her home until the end.

Friends and family will be received Sunday, February 23rd at the J & J Spratt Funeral Home, 1612 Third Avenue, New Brighton from 2-5 P.M. Additional viewing will be held on Monday, February 24th from 10 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m.

Private entombment will be held in Sylvania Hills Memorial Park Mausoleum.