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, 81, died Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix. She was born Nov. 30, 1933 to Ramona Zamorano and Vicente Grajeda in Ahualulco, Jalisco, Mexico.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her Godmother and her husband of 61 years, Otilio, who passed away in January 2015.
She attended school in Mexico and was a very serious and dedicated student. For this she was given the honor of being the official Flag Bearer representing her school at parades during all Mexican National Holidays and other official functions. At a very young age she began to learn sewing from her mother, who was an excellent seamstress. Later, as a young adult, she mastered the craft and became an excellent seamstress herself.
She had also received a scholarship to attend college to become a schoolteacher. However, she married the love of her life, Otilio, instead.
Having lost both parents at a very young age, she was raised by her Godmother, Guadalupe C. Banda.
She and Otilio with two of their children, came to the United States in 1956 in order to be close to her Godmother, who had immigrated the year before. She and her husband were residents of Superior, Arizona since then.
Josefina, LOVED music, dancing and spending time with her family and friends. She was a great cook who loved to make special dishes for her family. She will be specially remembered for making the best tamales in the world!
Her favorite hobbies were attending the Senior Citizen Center and playing bingo and trying her luck at the slot machines at the casino.
She is survived by daughters, Leticia Silvas and Hortensia Gudino; and sons, Jesus (Rachel), and Gabriel (Loretta) Gudino. Josefina was blessed with eight grandchildren, Mary Elizabeth Silvas Kennedy (Chad), Andrea E. Silvas, Victoria Gudino, Sergio Gudino (Nichole), Rene Gudino (Samantha), Omar and Adrian Gudino, and Paul Meyer. Her “little treasures” were her great-grandchildren, Cayden Kennedy, Ariana, Izabella, and Dorian Gudino. The arrival of a fifth great-granddaughter is expected in October by Rene and Samantha. She also is mourned by her other family members: Carmen Banda-Oberg, of Tucson, Maria Ybarra of Superior, Tony, Julio and Ramon Banda of Phoenix-Mesa area.
Services will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Superior, Arizona on Friday, Sept. 25. Viewing will be at 9:30 a.m. Rosary will begin at 10 a.m.; Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. followed by interment at Superior Cemetery.
Our Josefina leaves a big open wound in our hearts and we will miss her always. May GOD keep YOU by his side forevermore.
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