              Tia Josa... A Reflection Of        
                  Unmeasurable  Love

     They say, "Life is a journey enriched by all those you meet." I thank our Heavenly Father for having been incredibly blessed to have a beautiful aunt like you, Tia Josa.
     You always offered us kindness and greeted us with so much love, hugs and kisses. You nurtured us all and were always, always present in our lives. 
     There are so many memories of you. As I reminisce of such, one in particular comes to mind. The one in which I, as a young child got lost but you found me as I was being escorted home by a police officer. I could barely reach to see over the car window but you spotted my pony tails w/the little bolitas on them. You found me crying hysterically but I remember how you wrapped me within your arms and within your love...lost but not lost anymore. That little girl wasn't scared anymore, that is until my Papa came home and you and my mama gave him a  "Regañada " for being the one to drop me off at curb site.  But the sugar cube pieces you had me eat made up for that.  Oh, how blessed I am to be able to say you are a part of me. 
     Tia Josa, you lived in grace and walked in love indeed. You are tremendously loved and I know your precious love surpasses death and lives on. You reside in Heaven's glory now, among all our loved ones that went before, laughing, talking, smiling, loving and looking down at us all with a most beautiful radiance that now shines from above. Thank you Tia for all that you have done for all of us. Thank you for giving me shelter and sugar cubes. Mi papá, mi mamá, y mi hermanos la queremos muchisimo. ❤️

My dad is really going to miss you Tia Josa. You were always there for him. From his early days of coming to the US, you took him in and took care of him. When he was sick in the hospital you were there for him. This was a picture of my dads birthday celebration last year, you were there front and center.  We hold your memory close to our hearts. 

Yo le quiero dar gracias a Dios por mi tía Josefina Zapien que a  sido un gran ejemplo y una grande bendición haber sido su sobrina gracias tía por sus consejos descanse en paz tía la amo hasta el tercer cielo....

Tía josa la vamos a extrañar mucho,  siempre la recordaremos  con mucho cariño  por todas lo que pasamos unas veces llorando otras veces sonriendo y alegre.  y ahora quien nos va decir quien los va encaminar para que no se devuelvan  así decía  descanse en paz que Dios la tenga en su santa gloria.

duele no poder decirle esto en persona, pero gracias por toda su ayuda que me brindo cuando la necesite. Por ello estare eternamente agradecida y espero que donde quiera que este me escuche. Se le va a extrañar y nada podra llenar el vacio que deja pero los bonitos recuerdos siempre estaran para recordarla. Gracias por siempre estar ahí la quiero y siempre la quere y matendre en mi corazón 

Mi Tía Josa siempre tenia amor para sus sobrinos y sobrinas. Me acuerdo cuando la visitaba y nos hacía tortillas de harina. Le salían bien sabrosas. Y su comida ni se diga! A mi Mami le encantaba visitar a su carnal y a su cuñada. Mi Tía Josa era muy especial para nosotros. Ella quería mucho a mi Mami y mi Mami también quería mucho a su cuñada. Ahora las dos se están haciendo compañía en el cielo, cuidándonos desde arriba. Que Dios la tenga en su gloria. Un día nos volveremos a ver tía. La quiero mucho. 

My favorite memory of my Tia Josa was simply having her. We as the Barajas are thankful for our time with her. She was such a big part of our family, she practically needed a red shirt.  From our trips to TJ or Ensenada, to a simple dinner at my parents house, was fun to be able to have her with us.  To the Zapien family, you guys have always been there for us during difficult times , always offering your help and support. Our heart goes out to you. May you rest in peace Tia Josa. 

Tia Josa - The youngest of 10 and the one with the most spirit.
Talented -had a flare for flower arrangements 🌷
Hard working-always keeping her house 
And caring for her children and grandchildren and had the privilege to see her great grandchildren 🤱
Funny-she was always joking with us and the cousins. telling us our faults in a funny way. She had that spunk like my dad.😃
Perfectionist-like mother/ like daughter 
Mamachon wanted things done her way or no way. 😩 I learned that early on.

I am saddened that another Torres great is not with us to share her stories of how our family came to be.

But I find comfort that she has joined our family in heaven 
Tia Josa Descanse en Paz❤️🙏





I can't get into the website--but here is what my mother wrote:  to my sister Josa, I just want to say that I love you.  You were the baby of the family and I always enjoyed talking care of you.  As we grew older, I knew you were going to be ok, especially after you married Toni.  I knew he loved you and he would take care of you just as we did.  As sisters we always had a beautiful sister relationship.  We respected each other, we never got upset and we never had a disagreement.  I will always remember our phone conversations.  We laughed, cried and told " chismes".  I will never forget how you would answer to me with the word "Mande".  I always admired how you respected me.  You will always be in my heart, I will never forget you . I heard somewhere that a sister is more than a forever friend, she is a joy to the heart and love without end .  This is so true.  Until we meet again--Balvina 

Even though you're no longer amongst us, I will forever carry you in my heart. I can't thank you enough for raising my Wife to be the kind, caring, virtuous woman I have always been in love with. It hurts so much to think that you won't be around to do the same with our Princess Mia. It was so heartwarming to see how much she instantly loved her Amoi. We will forever cherish the memories of your morning conversations with her. I find great comfort knowing that you were here to see Kori finally become a Mother. I know it seems like it took forever, but you and Gempz made her want a love that lasts through the ages like yours has. Thank you so much for shaping the woman I want to grow old with. Regardless of how many cachetadas you gave me during our time together, I will always love you for that. May God bless your beautiful soul, we will miss you dearly.

I could never understand why I couldn't get my beans to taste like Tia Josa's even though I was cooking them just like she taught me.  When I'd visit, it was never a quick visit. She'd feed me, we'd talk and then end up outside looking at her plants.  She loved her hydrangeas, her roses... all of her plants.  If I needed a last minute flower for a cake I was decorating, she was always willig to share a rose or two.
My Girls were blessed to have Tia watch them.  Tia couldn't wait for Sarah to start walking.  One day, I arrived to pick up Sarah and  Tia had her standing up against the sofa. She said, "La estoy ensenando a caminar."  I remember thinking she was too young but before long, Tia was saying, "NO se esta Enpas! Ya anda por ondequiera." 
There was never a dull moment at Tia's house. Between the joking, the singing and the dancing; Oh Yeah, dance lessons.  Tia was trying to show me the dances from "Quando yo fue Joven."  As much as I tried to jitterbug or swing or whatever it was that she was trying to teach me, I would step on her feet or move the wrong way and she'd get tired of me messing up and would say, "TU NO SABES," and push me away.  But when another good song would play on the radio, she'd pull me onto the kitchen floor and we'd start all over again.  The Kitchen was the best room in the house.  Good Food, Good Laughs, Good Times!
Tia, thank you for always looking after me and my girls. I  love you and miss you and will always remember you and keep you in my heart.

"Quiero agradecerte Mama por haberme dado la vida, velar mis sueños cuando era niña, Todo eso y mucho mas. Quiero agradecerte Mama, cuidarme Cuando enfermaba y pegada siempre en mi cama yo te miraba llorar. Se que vas a decir que Eran tus obligaciones pero tengo mis razones para no pensar asi. Aunque Todo me has dado, lo mejor que me a pasado es haber nacido de ti. Mama, Mama, Mama, te quiero! te quiero! te quiero! no tengo con que pagarte haberme dado la vida y darme tu bendicion. Gracias por darme cariño, por saber guiar mi camino, por darme Todo tu amor.  Quiero agradecerte Mama ser esa mujer valiente que por amor a sus hijos no se a rendido jamas. Recuerdo que desde niña te mire siempre luchando Al lado de mi Papa. Gracias por ser mi Mama" -Briseyda
Mom siempre la llevare con migo, en mi mente y en my corazon.  La Amo con toda mi Alma y la extraño muchisimo.  Usted fue y siempre sera mi todo. I love you Mom! I love you More More More!! until we meet again.RIP my sweet Angel. 
I love you !!

Ama
Te extraño tanto. No sé qué vamos a hacer sin usted. Todavía no quiero creer que esto sea cierto. Gracias por enseñarme sobre la vida y cómo estar allí para su familia. Me enseñaste a ser el mejor padre que puedo ser. Extraño tu risa. Quiero escucharte y abrazarte una última vez ama. Desearía que este dolor desapareciera. Pero sé que un dolor como este permanece contigo para siempre. Usted nunca será olvidado. Te querro tanto mi reina !!!!!!

El sol sin luz nunca es sol 
El mar sin agua no es mar 
Y yo sin ti no soy nada 

Te amo para siempre 
Rest in paradise my queen

One of my most recent memories of you is when I came to visit and you gave me tips on the anxious arrival of my daughter! Little did we know that the next day she would make her debut! Melanie is 6 weeks now and I hold your tips to heart, I still give her sponge baths just like you taught me and do stretches with her. I know you're in heaven watching over all of us! You're truly missed and will never be forgotten! Thank you for the tips and advice! Spending time with you made me feel like you were my grandma too! 
 With a grateful and blessed ❤  Maria Elena and Melanie

Amoi
Sé que no siempre nos llevamos bien y discutimos mucho, pero así fue como nos llevamos. pero el día que tuve  mis hijos cambio nuestra relación, el amor que les demostraste a mis hijos , especialmente Jay, el amor entre ustedes dos fue hermoso de ver. una vez que él te llamó ama me alegró mucho el corazón. verlo buscarte y la forma en que la miraba era lo más dulce. No hiciste mal en sus ojos. era lo más lindo pero lo más molesto si salíamos de la casa sin que él le dijera adiós, lloraría hasta que le llamáramos para que le dijera adiós. La parte más difícil de todo esto es que él no comprende por qué se fue y el dolor que siente su pequeño corazón al no ver la y tener tus besos. 
 Evalyn no dejará de hablar de usted. Ella dice que usted es la estrella más brillante en el cielo, y siempre estara en su corazón. Me aseguraré de que los niños no olviden el amor que les demostraste. gracias por amarlos como lo hiciste y siempre serás su ángel 

Amoi, 
You helped raise me to be the person I am today. You always got me ready for school, combed my hair and made sure my clothes looked nice. You made all my favorite foods and when I was sick you would rub my head or make me sopita. You never liked to smile for pictures, but your smile is something I’m going to miss forever. I miss your lil jokes and laughs. I even miss you yelling at me.
I remember being so scared to tell you I was pregnant. You ended up being so supportive throughout it all. You loved the name Isabella because it was also your grandmothers name. You knitted her blankets and spoiled her with tons of dresses. You made all my baby shower decorations and later made all her birthday decorations. I hope you know that you are loved by us all and how appreciated you are for everything you’ve done. Thank you for loving my daughter as much as you love me. I promise to try to keep all of your traditions alive. 
Life will never be the same without you Ama.
Te quiero mucho 
Kwiz 


Hello I’m Karen Korinas friend
I met Amoi when I was
4/5 years old one because korina and I were in same class in kinder and church. Amoi always picked up korina and brought. June with her for drop offs and
Pick ups.  Amoi was so sweet but had a serious face at times but man was she the sweetest In my eyes even when we were up to no good.  She was always there in our good times and our bad times but key word ALWAYS THERE!! Amoi no matter what would welcome me into thier home with her arms open and
Kisses the best hugs!!! Tell us stories shoot even taught me
How to cook albondigas  she was
Like my granny I felt!!! I love you Amoi thank you thank you for all your love I will never forget you!!! descansa en Paz te AMO!!!


 Karencita 

I love you and I miss you. Thank you for every thing you done for me. 

I met Amoi when I was in 4th grade, and from the day I met her she was always a tough cookie. Very stern but so loving at the same time.  Growing up, Korina and I were very close, so I spent about 90% of my time there with her family. I would show up to Korina’s, walk up to amoi and give her a big o hug and kiss, mainly because I knew how much she “acted” like she didn’t like it. Being the type of person I am, I was up for the challenge. As years went on and I spent more time with the family it became our thing. She would tease me about being over all the time or about calling after I just left the house, but I knew that the days I didn’t show up she would ask where I was (my internal proof that I had cracked her). Amoi had a sense of humor on her that I didn’t completely notice until I got older. She would never yell at Kori and I, but to get us to do what she wanted she would tell us stores or wives tales that would some how get us to do exactly what she wanted. Let’s just say Kori and Didnt chew gum for almost a year. Amoi always made me feel like a part of the family, which meant folding clothes and washing dishes every Saturday morning if you spent the night. when I had my 1st son at 18 Amoi would watch him while I went to work and never once did she ask for anything from me in return. She never made me feel ashamed for having him so young or for needing help. She was just there for me in a time i needed her, the whole family was, and for that I’m forever grateful ❤️ 

Amoi at times I tell myself you are in T.J and you'll be back soon, I know I shouldn’t do that but it’s so hard to accept that you are gone. In the last few years you and Gemps had talks about what you’d  want if either of you die. You said whenever God wants to take you home you’d  be ok with it but you hoped you'd see me have a baby after that you would have lived your fullest life. The day Edgar came home you gifted us a baby blanket that you knitted and 4 months later I was pregnant. You were so happy! You fed me everything I craved, you massaged me when I was tired or felt sick, and when there were some complications we prayed the rosary together. You two instantly bonded. Mia loved her mornings with you.I keep thinking about the 24 hours you spent with her while you were positive and didn’t know it. Maybe God knew you needed that time with her. It kills me to know she won’t get to make memories with you but Im grateful you were apart of her life even if it was for a short time. I’ll always let her know what an amazing person you were, how much you loved her, n I will teach her everything you taught me. This has been the greatest pain I have ever felt at times it is unbearable and I just can’t take it. What will I do w/out you? Our bond was so special. Even at 33  I would still snuggle up n sleep w/you. It was always me n u. I will miss getting lost on the freeway w/you because we were so into our conversations, I will miss your cooking, your jokes, your singing, the way you laughed. You always had my back. In your eyes I can do no wrong and you always defended me. No one will be that person now. “I was once your angel now you are mine” you’ll be with me wherever I go, you will be apart of everything I do. I will always cherish our memories forever. Thank you for being apart of shaping my childhood and growing me into the person I am today.You’ll forever live on in my heart. You were one of the most beautiful souls this world has ever seen. I love you forever.

My name is Sade, most of you know me as Korinas friend or the adopted one, or what Amoi would say the loca. I met Amoi when I was 10 years old and she became my grandma. Me and her had a good relationship even though we didn’t understand each other. When we were in school everyday I would go over and I mean Everyday, and I would get so excited to go to there house after school because I knew Amoi made food for kori and June and she would look at me like what are you doing here. She was one of the best cooks, I loved her food so much and she loved that I loved her food. It would make her happy when everyone would complement her food. One of my favorite words she would say was “Get out of my kitchen”, it wasn’t the word itself it was the way she would say it. Amoi was a strong and loving person, There was a time in my life well a lot of times that I was wrong in certain things or in my relationship and she was not afraid to put me in my place or correct me or tell me I was wrong and I can appreciate that from her. Amoi did so much good in her life and was there for so many people. Amoi and Gemps would always go to TJ and I went one time with them and as a kid I saw the good they did for the family’s that had nothing, they always humbled themselves and that showed me to have kindness And to be there for others. I have learned so much from her especially how much she loved her family and her Gemps. Amoi and Gemps were more then husband and wife they were best friends, I would see them just sitting together and they were happy with just that enjoying flowers and newspaper and Amoi would love to do her crossword puzzles, they were inseparable Until now. God took his Angel because it was her time, but it will not be a good bye it will be I will see you soon. Thank you Amoi for everything you have done for my family and I and for loving my kids as your own grandkids and for excepting me to be a part of your family, I will always and for ever love you. 


Love Loca

Amoi would always watch me when i was little. I remember going over and Amoi would always be cutting up jicama for us to snack on.  She would always call me grenuda because i never brushed my hair. Then after she said that she would always come downstairs with some hair ties, and a hair brush and tell me to sit down on the floor so she can brush my hair. It always hurt when she brushed my hair and she would always tell me im over exaggerating and that it didnt hurt. Not all my memories with Amoi consisted of jicama and hair brushing. I remember the jokes she would make and this little song she would sing to all the babies while bouncing them on her knee. I remember her laugh and her smile and how she would always make everyone laugh. We love you Amoi and you will forever be in our hearts. This is not a goodbye but a see you later.❤️

OBITUARY

Josefina Zapien

May 10, 1942 – July 17, 2020

Green Acres Memorial Park & Mortuary

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