Josie to her friends, or Nena to close relatives, was born on April 7, 1946 to Esperanza Rivera in La Mancia, Aklan, Philippines. After graduating from St. Catherine School for Nursing, she went to the United States.
In 1983, she went on to study and become a Respiratory Therapist. She then started to work as an RT at the Children’s Hospital of East Tennessee for 30 years. Josie was a dedicated RT and took care of patients at the Children’s Hospital in a very special way, with extra love and kindness.
In 1967, she met Edgardo (Eddie) Igharas, and they wed in1969, going on to have two children, Raymond and Byron.
After retiring in 2012, Josie spent her time being a loving and best Grandma to Rachel and Jacob, traveling the world on pilgrimage trips with her spouse, Eddie, volunteering at Children’s Hospital and serving as a Eucharistic Minister at Immaculate Conception and the Fil-Am Association of Knoxville.
Josie was predeceased by her mother, Esping Rivera. She is survived by her husband Eddie, brother Romey, sons Raymond (married to JoAnn) and Byron and grandchildren Rachel Isabelle and Jacob Augustine.
Visitation will be held on June 21st, Monday, 6:00-8:00 pm at Berry Funeral Home, 3704 Chapman Highway, Knoxville, Tennessee 37920. Funeral Mass will be on Tuesday, June 22nd, 10:00 am at the Church of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, 414 W. Vine Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37902.
