Josephine A Mazur

Josephine Mazur, wife, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, sister-in-law, and aunt to many, passed away peacefully on September 9, 2025 at the age of 95, surrounded by several family members.

Born in March, 1930 in Detroit, Michigan, to Louis and Anna Zelenak, Josephine was the sixth of ten children. She grew up in a loving, devoutly Catholic home filled with laughter and loyalty which she carried with her throughout her life. After graduating from Sweetest Heart of Mary High School in 1948, she went on to pursue a degree in Nursing.

In early-1953, Josephine married the love of her life, Gerald “Jerry” Mazur, and together they built a beautiful life settling in East Detroit (Eastpointe), Michigan. Josephine and Jerry were happily married for 29 years until Jerry's passing in 1982. During their marriage, they were blessed with 12 children.

Josephine was known for her commitment to the Catholic faith and to her family. She was known for her kindness, abundant generosity, unwavering strength, and a remarkable work ethic both at home and at work. She preferred to be in the background, acting more as the conductor and less like the star musician. She had a fantastic smile and a warm and welcoming disposition that routinely invited conversation wherever she went.

Josephine was a tremendous homemaker. She creatively fed 14 people every day, clipping coupons to stretch every dollar. She was vigilant about keeping clothes clean and in “gently used” condition, proactively removing stains before they would set. She was also an unquestionably talented seamstress, maximizing the life of every piece of clothing. Her home was always welcoming and for many years, was the go-to place for family gatherings. She found joy in cooking, gardening, bowling, and playing BINGO.

She returned to Nursing in 1979 working the midnight shift at St. John Hospital for almost 15 years until her retirement in 1993. She enjoyed the “graveyard shift” because it offered a more calming environment than the first two shifts and often allowed her to be home before her kids left for school.

After retirement, she purchased a cottage in Caseville, Michigan. This area held many fond memories of Mazur family vacations in the late-70s through early-80s. She was the consummate host, event planner, and cook, often feeding upwards of 50 people on many weekends well into her late-80s. Yet above all, she loved seeing her family together and always made sure friends felt welcomed.

For the last few years of her life, she was a resident of two assisted living communities, Vista Springs in Washington Township, Michigan, and most recently Clinton Creek Assisted Living Memory Care in Clinton Township, Michigan. Both facilities provided her with a new community of friends and compassionate, thoughtful caregivers.

Her legacy is her faith and family. She is survived by ten of her 12 children: Suzy (Rick) Ouellette, Sharon (Tom) Marchese, Rick, Debbie (Chris) Vizachero, David (Jackie), Paul, Bill, Patty (Tom) Salerno, Ken (Jennifer), and John (Sarah). She is predeceased by her beloved daughter, Barbara (Pat) O’Brien, and her son, Gary. Her love story will continue through her 34 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren, all of whom adored their "Grandma Mazur” or “Great Grandma." She leaves behind her brother, Victor, many nieces and nephews, and her former daughters’-in-law, Lori, Kathy, and Mary, all of whom will miss her.

Visitation will take place on Friday, September 19, 2025 from 3:00 - 9:00 pm at AH Peters Funeral Home in Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan. The Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, September 20, 2025 at 10:00 am (in-state at 9:00 am) at St. Veronica Catholic Church in Eastpointe, Michigan.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to either St Veronica Parish, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or Capuchins, Franciscan Province of St. Joseph (the Midwest Capuchins) in her honor. Josephine’s life was a testament to the power of love, faith, family, and kindness, and she will be deeply missed by all who knew her.