Josephine Franzetti Powers

11/3/1926 – 12/26/2023

Josephine “Josie” Franzetti Powers, born November 3, 1926, entered eternal rest December 26, 2023. Josie was born in Austin, Texas, where she lived her entire life.

Josie was born in the family home at 2402 San Gabriel in Austin, Texas, where her parents established roots when they emigrated from Italy. Josie was the youngest of the four Franzetti kids. She remembers a very modest lifestyle growing up, in a diverse neighborhood. She wore dresses her mother crafted from flour sacks, and fondly recalls playing with neighborhood kids from different backgrounds and ethnicities.

Josie’s father, Giusseppe Franzetti, passed away when she was 10 months old. Her mother, Ersilia Franzetti, an Italian immigrant still learning the American way and the English language, was widowed with four children at 32 years of age. Although they didn’t have much, they made the most of a difficult situation. Josie recalls simple times back then playing hopscotch and jacks with friends. One Christmas she was lucky enough to get a Shirley Temple doll which she cherished, and still has to this day.

The family could never have afforded a car in those days, so she recalls walking or taking the bus wherever she needed to go. She would walk to the cinema on Guadalupe and watch movies for 10 cents. A scoop of ice cream was 5 cents, and for 10 cents she could splurge and get two!

Josie went straight to work after high school, as the cost for college was cost prohibitive. She started with the federal government working at the IRS. She would go on to work at a number of other federal agencies, in a career that spanned 37 years.

Josie was married in 1951, to Harvey D. “Deac” Powers. They had three kids, Joe, Russell and Tina. Harvey passed away in 1968 at the age of 47, leaving Josie a young widow of 42. Like her mother, Josie raised three kids on her own, all independent and productive members of society! Josie’s dream to have all her kids college educated came true, through her guidance and encouragement.

Perhaps Josie’s happiest times came later in life, when each of her five grandchildren were born. Harvey, Andy, Brooke, Brett and Matthew are without question “Granny’s” pride and joy. To a child they all love their grandmother, and relish Thanksgivings, Christmas, and other special times they’ve spent with her through the years. Granny is all the grandkids’ biggest cheerleader, and would do anything for them. Granny’s emphasis on education helped motivate all five grandkids to earn college degrees!

Just when a grandmother thinks her work is done, someone calls her “Great”! Granny was blessed with three beautiful great-granddaughters before her passing. Most recently, Zara Mackenzie Martinez, born on Thanksgiving 2023, to Matthew and Courtney Martinez. Prior to that, Anne Margaret Powers, born September 17, 2023, and Josie Elizabeth Powers, born April 12, 2022, to Andy and Katie Powers. Last year, Granny also welcomed Harvey’s new wife, Jennifer Villa, as a granddaughter-in-law.

Josie was preceded in death by her parents, three siblings, and husband, Harvey D. Powers. She is survived by her three children, Joe Powers and his wife Chris, Russell Powers and his wife Kim, and Tina Powers. She is also survived by the joys of her life, five grandchildren: Harvey Powers and his wife Jennifer Villa, Andy Powers and his wife Katie, Matthew Martinez and his wife Courtney, Brett Powers, and Brooke Powers as well as three beautiful great-granddaughters: Zara Mackenzie Martinez, Anne Margaret Powers, and Josie Elizabeth Powers.

A visitation/viewing will be held on January 8, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and funeral services will be held January 9, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. Both services will be held at Weed-Corley-Fish Chapels, at 5416 Parkcrest Drive, Austin, TX 78731. There will be a reception immediately following the service, followed by interment at Mount Calvary Cemetery for immediate family.

Josie celebrated her 97th birthday in November. She succumbed to congestive heart failure peacefully in her sleep, with family by her side. No heart muscle has ever worked harder than Mom’s at loving her family.

Josie/Mom/Granny, we love you and will miss you…

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Heart Association in memory of Josephine F. Powers at www.heart.org.