Josephine J. Verstraete

Josephine Jewell Verstraete, 88, beloved wife, mother, and caregiver was born April 28, 1924, to Elbert and Marie Scoggins. She was one of a family of seven girls born and raised in Pueblo. She graduated from Pueblo Catholic High School in 1941, and from the Seton School of Nursing as a Registered Nurse in 1943. Jo met Stanley, the love of her life, at an Army Air Corps dance at the Pueblo airfield. Married in 1945, they had seven children to gray their hair and twenty grandchildren to make them smile. Her career included nursing at St. Mary’s, Parkview, and St. Mary-Corwin hospitals, director of nursing at Pueblo Manor Nursing home, orthopedic nurse for Dr. Alan Herrington, director of Religious Education at St. Patrick’s Church, and, at the age of 70, she went back to work fulltime for Dr. C.W. Kessler. Her spirit of giving continued with the St. Francis Altar Society, Cub Scouts, Queen of Peace Auxiliary of Knights of Columbus 557, coordinator of her high school class reunions, numerous family reunions, and any other project she was asked to complete. Jo taught her children to appreciate the simple things in life by instilling her morals and faith, and wanderlust in everyday moments. Stan has been patiently waiting at St. Peter’s gates for his sweet Josephine, as he often would wait by the door for her after family gatherings. Now, they can continue dancing among the angels. She is preceded in death by her husband, Stanley; sisters, Frances Maher, Lorraine Mitchell, Rita Lasater, Virginia Brothers, Dorothy Orazem, and Martha Kosak. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Irma Verstraete; brother-in-law, Ed Orazem; and children, Patricia (George) Lund, Bruce (Patricia) Verstraete, Margaret Dennis (Brian) Van Horne, Suzanne Trujillo, George (Cathy) Verstraete, Mary Irene Verstraete, and Henry (Regina) Verstraete; grandchildren, Michaele, Eric, Ted, Mathew, Craig, Jeremiah, Amber, Joelle, Aaron, Jon, Caleb, Sarah, Brett, Remi, Camille, Jena, Tony, Sarah, Laura, and Luke. Also survived by 10 great-grandchildren with two more due this fall and numerous nieces and nephews. Special thanks to Dr. Lawrence Anaya and Judy, staff of The Chateau and The Christopher House, Paulette Sanchez for always making Jo look beautiful when she was so sick, and family and friends for your kind words and support. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St. Therese Catholic School Scholarship fund through the funeral home. Viewing, 2-4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, at T.G. McCarthy Funeral Home. Rosary, 7 p.m., Sunday evening at St. Mary’s Church. Funeral Mass, 11 a.m., Monday, October 8, 2012, at St. Mary’s Church. Interment will follow at Roselawn Cemetery. Reception will follow committal service at La Renaissance Restaurant, 217 E. Routt Ave. Please visit Josephine’s memorial at www.tgmccarthy.com. Arrangements by T.G. McCarthy Funeral Home.