Josephine Latvanas Zolenas

Josephine Latvanas Zolenas was born on March 7, 1922 and passed on April 24, 2020, she is the devoted daughter of the late Juozopos Eric Latvanas and the late Elizabeth Baronas Latvanas; beloved wife of the late Stanley P. Zolenas,Sr.; loving mother of Stanley P. Zolenas, Jr, Mark J. Zolenas and Joseph W. Zolenas; loving grandmother of Jennifer Zolenas West, Melanie Zolenas Kennedy, Joseph J. Zolenas and Bonnie Zolenas Powell; cherished great-grandmother of Vinnie M. West, Pearl Kennedy, Xavier Kennedy, Tess Kennedy, Ryan Zolenas and Gavin Zolenas; dear sister of Betty Davis and the late Alexander Latvanas, Will Latvanas, Helen Latvanas Siemasko, and Jeannette Latvanas Wiatr.

Funeral services and interment were private.

Josephine had GUMPTION (initiative, energy, resourcefulness, common sense, good judgment), gusto, grace and grit. She lived a life grabbing for the gusto. As a farm girl who loved life. She liked picking vegetables with her family, going to the race track with her Dad, dancing at Blobs, taking a chance, trying to do and see it all. Josephine was the perfect combination of Auntie Mame and Annie Oakley.

One of her mottos was to leave a place better then you found it. It might be as simplistic as leaving a bouquet of wildflowers at a camp ground or grabbing something that caught her eye. Everyone who was touched by her creativity probably has an article or memory of a towel cake, a crocheted afghan or a scarf. Perhaps you had the good fortune to sample her crab cakes, cucumber sandwiches or potato pancakes. Any mistakes were called, “ Flub a Dubs” and quickly forgotten. Good news was the only news she believed in. Always up for a lark or a laugh, No one was unable to quell her enthusiasm to run a race, play a game, catch the biggest fish or take a chance. Once she heard “Let’s” she said “Go”. Ready with a hat on her head and a purse slung over her shoulder with a few lottery tickets that needed to be redeemed. First one out of the car, at times before it was parked or stopped and no one better get in her way.

Her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were perfect in her eyes. She believed everyone needed to learn how to swim, count money, play cards, memorize the capitals, master 20 questions. When she corrected you, it was for your own good.

Recently, when asked if she thought she would see Stan in heaven, she said, “Yes” and smiled. She knew he would have something for her. Hope she was right. She deserves to be with him. He will recognize her when she says, “Where are we going today? Let’s go. Let’s have some fun. Let’s get some souvenirs .” Wearing a stylish hat (her trademark) , swinging her purse, ready to take one more chance on lottery.

In her final days, we’ve been blessed with her gentleness and acceptance .She didn’t complain and always mustered a smile. Enjoying the simple things in life (a scenic ride, a frappachino, a cherry Slurpee, ice cream, strawberries with sugar) Having her hair brushed and her hand held. All of us could take a lesson from her to have gumption, try our best with gusto, grab all that life offers and the grace to accept whatever comes our way, and be optimistic. Always a front runner, always 1st through the door, Heaven is in for a wonderful treat. We will miss her and hope to see her there.