Josephine L Austin

April 18, 1924 – October 3, 2023.

Our beloved, Josephine Lopez Austin, passed away peacefully in her home on October 3,2023. Josephine was ninety-nine and surrounded by many loving family members just hours before her passing.

Josephine was born to Vincent and Mercedes Lopez on April 18,1924 in Sonora, Arizona. She was the youngest of ten children. As a child, she loved to work side by side with her mother in their family hardware store. She was not afraid of hard work and her young entrepreneurial spirit would later build a legacy for her children.

Despite having crossed paths many times in their younger years, it was in 1948 in Phoenix, Arizona that Josephine met her husband, Alfonso Austin. They married on Friday, October 13, 1950, and went on to raise four children, Peter, Mary, Vincent, and David. Josephine was passionate about business and politics. She served as a city representative and purchased a retail store, that she would operate alongside her husband and children for many years. Josephine proved to be a woman ahead of her time.

Josephine’s greatest pleasure was spending time with family, especially time with her brothers and sisters. She was a devoted shopper and loved traveling and trying new restaurants. Throughout her entire life, she held an unwavering faith in God, which she shared with those who surrounded her. You could often find her at a family rosary or with a prayer book in her hand. Now that Josephine has passed into the arms of our Lord, we should remind ourselves that while this is the end of Josephine’s physical life on Earth, it’s the beginning of an eternal and beautiful journey for her.

After a long, fulfilling life Josephine will be laid to rest on her seventy-third wedding anniversary. She joins her parents, Vincent and Mercedes, her husband Alfonso, and her three brothers and six sisters in Heaven. She is survived by her children, Peter Austin, Mary Fuentes, Vincent Austin, and David Austin, her fifteen grandchildren, thirty-three great-grandchildren, and sixteen great-great-grandchildren.

A visitation and rosary for Josephine will be held Thursday, October 12, 2023, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at A.L. Moore-Grimshaw Mortuaries Bethany Chapel, 710 West Bethany Home Road, Phoenix, AZ 85013. A funeral service will occur Friday, October 13, 2023, from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM, 710 West Bethany Home Road, Phoenix, AZ 85013. A graveside service will occur Friday, October 13, 2023, from 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM at Saint Francis Catholic Cemetery, 2033 N 48th St, Phoenix, AZ 85008.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ALMoore-Grimshaw.com for the Austin family.