Julia O. Jose

She was born in Sao Paolo, Brasil, on January 18, 1930, the second of five children to Carlos and Carlotta (Conharik) Odlevak. Her family owned a farm, and she and her siblings worked on the farm when they were young. She married Estevam “Steve” Jose on April 18, 1954, and moved to Santo Andre where they owned a grocery store. In 1964, they moved the family to New York, and first lived in Brooklyn, where her children attended parochial school. Steve owned a carpentry business, and she was a homemaker and also as a housekeeper for Belleview Hospital.

They also lived in Long Island for a number of years, until her retirement in the 1980’s. She and Steve served as ministers in church for 35 years, reaching many people across the world with their ministry. She helped people immigrate to the United States and was also very passionate about fundraising, sometimes staying up into the late hours sewing quilts for a fund raiser. They lived their retirement years in Florida, until 1999 when she wanted to be closer to her children in Mesa. She raised her family with good manners, as this was important to her, and instilled in them appreciation for music, making them take lessons with an instrument. Julia played the accordion, she loved shells, crafts, sewing, quilting, making silk flowers. Faith in God and an unconditional love of her family, drove her. She wanted her children to have a life better than she had.

She is survived by her husband of 61 years Estevam; daughters Maria, Julia, Luiza; son Steve; grandchildren Sarah, Vanessa, Jeffrey, Phillip, Kindelly; great grandchildren Malachi and Camila; son in law Rod; grandson in law Cesar; brothers and sisters Carol, Rosa, Jose, and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

A viewing will be held on Sunday, August 2, from 4 until 6 pm at Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park. Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 3 at 9 am at Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park.

Arrangements were entrusted to Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Estevam “Steve” Jose.