Josephine McMasters

Josephine (Jo) was born on December 26, 1935, in Bryan, Texas to Mike and Frances Kickirillo. She had one younger brother, Michael Kickirillo, whom she loved and adored. Jo spent her early years in the rural Steelstore area, with her parents and in the city of Bryan with her grandparents, Charlie, and Mary Noto, where she went to school. From the beginning, her Italian family was a big part of her life, establishing traditions like baking Fig Cookies, a coveted recipe that would be enjoyed by multiple generations to come. Jo grew up loving art, drawing and creating from an early age. She graduated from Stephen F. Austin (Bryan) High School and attended McKenzie-Baldwin Business College after high school. She met a young, Donald (Don) McMasters out one night, at the local A&W Root Beer stand. She told Don to find her in the phone book, with her last name Kickrillo, which he did, and their love story began in 1954, and they married shortly thereafter in 1956 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, in Bryan. They just celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.

Jo and Don had four children, Linda, Sandra, David, Julie, nine grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. They raised their kids in McAllen, Texas, where they built their dream home, which Don designed and Jo decorated and where they lived for 50 years; this home holds beautiful memories for all. Jo was in Beta Sigma Phi Sorority for 51 years, where she met lifelong friends and gave back to the community by volunteering her time and talent. She was a consummate lifelong learner of cooking, fashion, reading, music, and travel. She and Don loved to socialize, throw a great party and made friends a core part of their life. Jo was a devout Catholic, and church was always a big part of her life since her childhood where she loved going to church with her parents sitting on the front row. She and Don were members of Holy Spirit Catholic Church in McAllen, Texas for over 40 years.

As art was always a part of her life, the young artist grew into an avid oil painter. Jo loved all things art and surrounded herself with a life of beauty. She took art classes, first in McAllen, then travelling the US, in Arizona at the Scottsdale Artist School in the 1980’s, and in the American Southwest in the 1990’s to 2000’s painting and enjoying the beautiful landscapes. Jo also travelled abroad in Europe, in Italy and Paris, “learning from the great masters,” as she said. Jo loved to be in her art studio at home, painting till early morning hours, studying art books, and teaching classes to younger artists. She made it her life's work to become an accomplished artist, which she did. She loved Still Life painting the most, creating beautiful art that hangs in people's homes, including her children, family, and friends.

Jo saw beauty in the everyday world in ways that some may miss. The wildflowers on the side of the road, the old barn, that she wanted to paint and did, or being greeted with a warm smile. She loved with her whole heart, always caring for her family, and loving them with an unwavering spirit. She has left us with that imprint on our hearts, to see beauty in everyday things, no matter how big or small, and to hold close to our loved ones and always love with an undeniable spirit.

Funeral service will be held at Memorial Funeral Chapel in Bryan, on October 10, 2026, at 1:30 pm with visitation one hour prior to service time. Interment will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery.