Josephine "Josie" Hernandez

Josephine M. "Josie" Hernandez, 81, died on Feb. 3, 2015.

Mrs. Hernandez was born on March 15, 1933, in Phoenix and grew up in Eloy, where she met her future husband, Pablo "Paul" Hernandez Jr., and had three children. The family moved to Coolidge, where the children were raised.

She worked for the Coolidge Unified School District as a teaching assistant from 1972 until retirement in 1998, but she returned to work as a substitute teacher. She eventually moved to Casa Grande, where she lived the remainder of her life. She had a gift for making lifelong friends upon meeting someone for the first time, not only because she was a good listener but because she also had many stories to tell of her life, relationships and adventures.

She was preceded in death by her husband on April 6, 1988. She is survived by two daughters and a son, Jo Ann Ortega, Lucinda Hernandez Wilson and Pablo Andres "Andy" Hernandez; four siblings, Dolores Tapia, Barbara Escalante, Mike Moreno and Jesse Moreno; eight grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.

The celebration of life will be on Feb. 20 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Casa Grande, beginning with rosary at 10:15 a.m. and followed by Mass. A gathering of family and friends will follow in the church’s community center. Private interment will be later.

J. Warren Funeral Services, Cole & Maud The Gardens Chapel is in charge of arrangements.