Born on April 14, 1931, Josephine Ann Turk, daughter of the late John and Anna Marie (Gwiadoskia) Bartasavich of DuBois, PA, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother passed away peacefully on Friday, March 15, 2024 at United Methodist Community at the Shores, Ocean City, NJ.
Raised in a musical family, she shared her talents with the St. Michaels Church Choir and was President of the Sodality and May Queen. As an Assistant Librarian of DuBois Public Library and Librarian of the Olive Avenue Elementary School she served as a translator for Polish immigrant children. Her love for God led her to become a Certified Catechist for St. Michaels RC Church, DuBois, PA and many years later at Most Precious Blood Church, Walden, NY.
Married Oct. 12, 1957, Josephine and Tom moved to Newburgh, New York where she reared her three children. She enjoyed many friendships and was a member of TOPS. She never failed to fundraise for, and donate to community associations such as the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, the American TB Society, Disabled Veterans of America, among others. A devout Catholic, she participated in the choir at Most Precious Blood, Walden, and Our Lady of the Lake, Newburgh. Devoted to praying the Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet, Josephine accepted a term as Treasurer of the Holy Rosary Society at Our Lady of the Lake.
Her enjoyment of bowling, ceramics, and playing cards with girlfriends was second only to her talents at knitting, crocheting, and embroidering. Family members and friends benefitted from her many scrapbooks and photo albums of shared times together. Her Catholic faith gave her the strength to endure the many challenges of her beloved husband Tom’s ALS, from which he passed in 2018.
Josephine was deeply loved by her family and will always be remembered for her Catholic faith, her perseverance, sense of humor and wit, and love for her husband and extended family. She is survived by her three children, her seven grandchildren and her seven great-grandchildren.
The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will be offered on Thursday, March 21, 2024 at 11 am at Our Lady of the Lake Chapel, Newburgh, NY. Burial will be at St Mary’s Cemetery in Montgomery.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) 5817 Old Leeds Rd, Irondale AL 35210.
Arrangements were made by Millspaugh Funeral Directors.