Josephine Prato Cornish Brownfield, age 101, of Uniontown, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on Tuesday, October 25, 2021, in Ruby Memorial Hospital. She was born in Fredericktown, PA on February 4, 1920, daughter of the late Paul Prato and Pierina Cassinotti Prato. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Joseph Cornish; son, Joseph Gregory Cornish; and sisters, Geneva Darby and Erma Black;
Josephine’s father, Paul, was the caretaker of the Historic Summit Inn Resort in Farmington, PA in the early 1900’s, which is where Josephine and her sisters grew up. During their teenage years, Josephine and her sisters also worked at the Summit and had many interesting stories to tell about their years there. Josephine went on to graduate from South Union High School in 1938. She was very active with the Fayette Festival Association and wrote many articles for them. Josephine was also a talented artist, play writer and mandolin player; She once co-wrote a play entitled “To Forge a Nation” which was performed at the Mountain Ampitheater. She was a devout member of St. Peter’s Anglican Church and enjoyed singing in the church choir. Josephine was a member of the February Fourthers Club and the Uniontown Chapter 263 Order of Eastern Star. Later in life, after the passing of her first husband, Josephine found love once again when she was re-united with her childhood friend, Charles Brownfield; “Chuck and Jo” had been married since 1993.
Left to cherish Josephine’s memories are her husband, Charles Brownfield; daughter-in-law, Rose Demsko Cornish; grandsons, Scott Cornish and wife Kimberly, and Joseph Gregory Cornish, Jr. and Mark Demsko and wife Ashley; Great-Grand Children, Alysia Stephens and husband Dave, Anthony Cornish, Frank Gregor and wife Jennifer and Carter Demsko; Great-Great-Grand Children, Mason and Logan Stephens, and Tristan, Andrew, and Montana Gregor.
Arrangement have been entrusted to the ANDREW D. FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORIES, INC., 80 Morgantown St., Uniontown, PA where family and friends will be received on Thursday, October 28th from 2 until 4 p.m. and 6 until 8 p.m. Visitation will continue in the St. Peter’s Anglican Church from 10 until 11 a.m. followed by a service celebrating Josephine’s life at 11:00 a.m. with Father Aaron Prosser officiating. Interment will follow in Sylvan Heights Cemetery.
Memories and condolences can be shared with the family at adferguson.com and on the funeral home Facebook page.
