Josephine Loretta Selway

Josephine Loretta (Boyce) Selway, age 96, died Friday, April 8th 2022 in Baltimore, Md. after a long battle with illness. She was born March 18th, 1926 in Morgantown, W.Va and was one of seven children. She was the oldest daughter of Frederick Ralph Boyce and Thelma Faron (Greathouse) Boyce. She was a loving wife and mother whose selfless kindness inspired the many people who knew her. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Cornelius Selway Sr., her daughter Linda Josephine Selway, and her granddaughter Loren Alena Strain.

She is survived by her sister Thelma Fredonia (Boyce) Kurt of Tampa, Fla., daughters Jenny (Selway) Strain (husband John Strain Jr.), of Essex Md., and Carol (Selway) Nix of Morgantown, W.Va., son Thomas Selway Jr. of Perry Hall, Md., grandchildren Chesna (Selway) Gore (husband Shawn Gore) of Richmond, Va., John Strain III. (partner Brittney Gallion) of Belair, Md. and Ivan Selway. Her five great grandchildren include Taylor Gore, John Strain IV, Kassidy Gore, Shawn Gore Jr. and Everly Strain.

Josephine left Morgantown at the tender age of 16, and bravely sought work in Baltimore, where she met and married her husband of 50+ years. They made a home in Perry Hall, where she attended Saint Joseph’s and Saint Stephen’s Catholic churches for many years. She filled many roles besides wife and mother, and was variously employed as a waitress, switchboard operator, salesperson, physician’s assistant and lastly her most rewarding role, as nanny to several dear families who she cared for as her own. She loved her work and happily continued until the age of 70.

She maintained strong ties with her Morgantown family, returning every year for a beloved Boyce family reunion. Five brothers preceded her in death; Marvin, Ralph, Melvin, Donald and Albert Boyce. She leaves many nieces and nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews who will miss her warmth and presence on the reunion dance floor. She was fortunate to enjoy dancing well into her last decade, and her favorite band was family member Kenny Youst’s band, although she was also a great fan of Elvis, and in later years, Marty Stuart.

Jo made several trips abroad; to Paris, Venice, Rome and Athens, and loved to visit her daughter Linda in Guatemala. She adapted easily to different cultures and her easy smile and willing hands made her a welcome guest everywhere.

She lived in her home with her son Thomas on Gerst Avenue until her final illness. Her last three years were under the loving care of daughter Jenny, on Wicomico Rd in Essex. She loved the view of the water from Jenny’s home, and the cozy recliner where she enjoyed watching the Golden Girls. Josephine was not known to speak unkindly of others or use profanity, nor did she smoke or drink, but her easy grace and loving manner made everyone comfortable in her presence. Rest in peace Jo, Mom, Grandma, Mimi, Aunt Jo, you leave naught but good memories and good example here behind.

Family and friends are invited to gather at the Schimunek Funeral Home, Inc. (9705 Belair Road Nottingham, MD 21236) on Friday April 15th from 3-5 & 7-9 p.m. On Saturday April 16th the family will meet at Schimunek Funeral Home at 1 p.m. where they will then proceed down to Gardens of Faith Memorial Gardens (5598 Trumps Mill Rd, Baltimore, MD 21206) for a graveside service which will be held at 2:00 p.m. Online condolences may be left at: www.schimunekfuneralhomes.com