Josephine Dehelean (nee Guarino) was born on April 4, 1946 and died on September 6, 2021. She was preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Giovanina, her husband Samuel Dehelean and her sister Geraldine Brisley. Loving mother to Christopher and Paul Oxie. Beloved Grandmother to Matthew and Elizabeth Oxie. Loving sister to Joann (John) Valvano. Aunt to Joseph and Jeannine Brisley, Denise and Michelle Valvano and Amy and Sara Flemming. Great Aunt and cousin to many, from coast to coast.
Josie was born in Detroit and attended Regina high school, later changing to Servite, where she graduated in 1964. She married in 1965, later moving to Germany for several years, before returning to the States to have her children. She moved to her home in Grosse Pointe Woods in 1974. She married Sam in 1989 and stayed together until his death in 2017.
Josie loved life and was active every day of the year. She was an aerobics instructor, tap dancer, accomplished watercolor artist, world traveler and Michelin level cook, frequent gardener and a master knitter. Speaking fluent Italian, she took classes with her sister Geraldine for many years to obtain a greater understanding of the language. Always an adventurer, she loved to travel, and spent many happy days wandering around Europe with her grandchildren. Lifelong friends with Carol Flemming, and her husband Tom, they spent endless hours together, laughing, travelling, and just enjoying each other's company.
Josie's love of the Lord was part of her everyday life. She was a frequent volunteer at St. Joan of Arc Church, from the yearly festival in the food trucks and food tents, serving as eucharistic minister, feeding the poor at soup kitchens and knitting gloves, hats and blankets for the homeless with the ladies of the knitting ministry, her devotion to the Lord was always evident. Her greatest love was her family. She touched the lives of many and will be greatly missed.
Visitation for Josephine will be held Sunday, September 12, 2021 from 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM at A. H. Peters Funeral Home, 20705 Mack Ave, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236. A funeral mass will occur Monday, September 13, 2021 at 10:00 AM at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 21620 Greater Mack Ave, St Clair Shores, MI 48080.
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