Josephine Nizetich

Josephine was born on August 6, 1926 to Joseph and Lucille Vitalich (Rudan) in San Pedro, CA, both were Croatian immigrants. Her father was a fisherman and her mother a housewife, who passed away when Josephine was only 8 years old. She had an older brother Andrew Vitalich and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. She attended Mary Star of the Sea Elementary School, Dana Junior High School and graduated from San Pedro High Scholl in the Summer of 1944. She married Anthony Vincent Nizetich in 1948 and went on to have four children, Lucille Marie (McArthur-Deceased), Josetta Lynn (Spychaj), Antoinette Marie (Soto), and Thomas Anthony Nizetich. She leaves behind seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

She began her lifelong Interior Design and Decorating career in 1969 and practiced continuously until 6 months prior to her passing. She was an active board member of The San Pedro Hospital Foundation, as well as having established many charitable organizations including The San Pedro Peninsula Cancer Guild. She has helped raise millions of dollars over the years for these and other charities. One of her proudest moments came when as President of the Women’s Division of the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce, she was asked to cut the ribbon on the final leg of the 110 Harbor Freeway, a drive she would make for many years as she traveled to client’s homes and the various furniture marts in Los Angeles. She was an active member of her local catholic parish, Mary Star of the Sea and was involved in countless events held there. In 1983 she and her husband Anthony opened the popular Nizetich’s Restaurant on the waterfront in the Ports O’ Call area in San Pedro. She designed the restaurant in an elegant yet comfortable style and all of her children joined her in operating this family business. Retiring from the restaurant in 1993, she returned to her interior design and charity work. She always said “I want to use my talents to help people”. This motto is perfectly reflected in the numerous honors and awards she received throughout her lifetime. A gourmet cook, expert flower arranger, and preeminent hostess, she was a role model, entrepreneur, inspiration, and a pillar of the community. She will be missed by all that knew and loved her. In lieu of flowers a donation can be made to the San Pedro Peninsula Cancer Guild. A visitation will be held at Green Hills Memorial Chapel on December 2, 2023, 4:30 PM - 8:30 PM. Services will be held at Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church on December 4, 2023 at 10:30 AM.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the San Pedro Peninsula Cancer Guild:
San Pedro Peninsula Cancer Guild
1536 West 25th St., #524
San Pedro, CA 90732