Josephine Maestas Alvarez

Josephine Maestas Alvarez passed away January 28, 2018 at the age of 93. She will be remembered for her smile that warmed every room, the way she thanked God for every day, and her persistent strength. Josephine was born Holman, New Mexico on March 30, 1924 where she was delivered by her grandmother. She grew up alongside her sisters Stella, Elsie, and Florence, and her brothers Denny, Matt and Joey. Fermin and Viola were lost as babies, but were never forgotten. After high school, she studied business and passed the Civil Service test so she was eligible to work for the government. She moved to Santa Fe and earned her living through placements with a domestic agency, but was happiest at the dances where she particularly fancied the jitterbug. She met her husband, Eugene, in a park. After he returned from his deployment, they moved to New York City. Two years later, she longed for home and moved West in 1947. In 1957, she began working for the State of Colorado and was promoted from file clerk to Assistant to the Director of Veterans Affairs. She took great pride in her work, and considers her translation work and upward moving career as one of her greatest life accomplishments. In 1986, Josephine retired and spent her next 20 years pouring energy into volunteer work at Porter Adventist Hospital, as well as Bible studies for Spanish-speaking inmates at the Federal Correction Institution. However, her greatest joy was investing time in her grandchildren and loved ones. Josephine survived the Great Depression and taught her kids never to throw anything away - even disposable plastic fruit cups have great use. She loved music and never stopped dancing - her kitchen radio was never turned off. Her clock collection went unrivaled and provided her children hours of activity come every time change. She loved to sit in the afternoon sun in her garden and bask in the beauty of both flowers and vegetables. She cared deeply for all living creatures, especially the feline companions who she said needed too much love but who she spoiled anyway. Per her wishes, she will be buried with a flashlight because she doesn’t like the dark, a radio so she can enjoy music for eternity, and a stuffed replica of her kitty cat Marco, so she always has a companion. Josephine will be joining her husband and favorite dance partner, Eugene Alvarez, her parents Clodovea Dolores Hurtado and Jose Domeningo Maestas, and her siblings Stella, Fermin, Viola, Denny, and Joey. She will be deeply missed by her 4 children, 7 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren, 2 sisters, her brother, 3 daughters-in-law, her son-in-law, countless loved ones, friends, and her kitty cat, Marco. A celebration of Josephine’s life will be held at 11 AM on Thursday, February 22, 2018 at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 1091 S Colorado Blvd. Denver, CO 80246. Memorial donations may be made to the Denver Dumb Friends League, 2080 S Quebec St, Denver, CO 80231.