Josephine G. Nieto

Josefina Galindo, was born on March 5, 1922, and lived a full, illustrious life until March 20, 2002. She married Pedro Aguilar Nieto in 1940 and they have four children: Pedro Nieto III, Maria Ester, Andrea Rebecca and Jesus. Josefina was a pioneering businesswoman. In 1954, she opened the Casa Loma, the first integrated restaurant in Austin, Texas. Patrons included Big Mama Thornton, Little Richard, Chuck Berry and Count Basie and his orchestra. Josefina moved to Detroit, Michigan in 1957 with her family and then to Monroe, Michigan, where they operated the La Fiesta Restaurant from 1963 to 1983. Josefina was brave and beautiful, a fearless risk-taker. She was open-minded and open-hearted. She loved and respected all people. Josefina was vibrant, relished life and lived it to its fullest. She overcame tremendous obstacles by always finding humor and beauty in any circumstances. Although she had been awarded a high school scholarship, Josefina cut short her education after the eight grade due to family responsibilities. She completed her G.E.D. in her seventies and became a community college student in San Antonio, Texas. Josefina's many talents included a beautiful singing voice, a magic touch for cooking and a gift for painting and for working with stained glass. Josefina is survived by her beloved husband Pedro, brother Ignacio and sister Carmen, her four children, her grandchildren Viento, Andrea, Jon Carlos, Anne Josephine, Andina, Marisa, Alejandro, Kevin and Kaleb, and her great-granddaughter Genevieve. Josefina Galindo Nieto passed on as she lived her life, surrounded by loved ones, guitar music and singing.