Skip to content
July 15, 2021
Long Time Vanderhoof Resident Passes

We lost an exceptional woman. One of a kind. Loving, Compassionate, Generous, Strong, Faithful with a great sense of humour. She always had a smile and took things in stride saying "Thats the way it goes". Never feeling sorry for herself.
She married Richard, May 25, 1948 in Austria. Their dream to come to Canada was fulfilled in 1951 when they arrived in Ontario by ship with only 2 bags. They travelled to Vancouver for work where they attended night school to learn English.
Coming to Vanderhoof in 1952 Josie had employment at the St. John Hospital and Richard was working at Kemano.
Her passion was gardening and while living in their first house on 4th St. she would sell her produce to a local grocery store on highway 16.
May 25, 1955 their one and only child Christine was born.
In 1961 they moved to an acreage on Kenny Dam Rd known as Koch's corner. They briefly left to live in the Okanagan but soon returned to Vanderhoof again.
Josie was an active woman. Member of Sinkult WI for over 50 years. She was a self taught seamstress, teaching many young woman to sew and create their own patterns. She enjoyed her beloved gardening, growing flowers, knitting, crochet, quilting, preserving food and making her calendula ointment and her plum dumplings.
Richard passed in 2007.
Josie celebrated her 99th birthday in March of this year and was fortunate to be able to remain in her own home until the end of her life.
She enriched so many lives and will be dearly missed by her family and friends.
Love you forever Mom.


Your condolences will be approved within one business day. You will need a valid Facebook account. Please email us if you have any questions.