Josephine “Jo” Garcia
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Mass of Christian Burial for Josephine “Jo” Garcia, 86, Lawrence will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, November 3, 2023, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. Jo passed away on Friday, October 27, 2023, at her home.
Jo was born on September 25, 1937, in Wellsville, KS, the daughter of Adrian and Isabel (Lopez) Espinosa and spent her youth in Ottawa, KS. She later moved to Kansas City and worked at Peck’s Department Store in downtown Kansas City, MO.
In January 1957, Jo married Bob Garcia in Lawrence, KS in a small courthouse ceremony. They first met when she was 10 years old, and he was 13.
Jo worked at Hallmark Cards as a Machine Operator for 32 years. After retirement, she worked part-time for ten years for USD 497 as a custodian and cafeteria assistant.
Jo enjoyed spending time with family and her granddaughters, buying flowers in the springtime, and dancing. Jo also loved to travel and went on several cruises to Alaska, Mexico, and the Bahamas, but her favorite place to visit was Las Vegas. Jo had a distinctive laugh; one that could be heard across a crowded room. Jo was always present in all of her children and grandchildren’s school and sporting events, as well milestone events in their lives. She never missed a chance to celebrate, including hosting and attending parties.
Survivors include her husband, Bob Garcia, of the home; children, Alan (Yvonne) Garcia, Vincent (Christie) Garcia, and Lisa Garcia, siblings, Juanita Cardiff, Angie Ortiz, Caroline Gomez, and Clara Espinosa; granddaughters, Allison (Chris) Massengill, Madison Garcia, Jessica (Eric) Smith, Marisa Garcia (Brandon Holland), and Jackie Garcia, granddaughter Lindsay (Bob) Adduddel; great-grandson, Quinton Smith; three great-grandchildren; Kaleb Garcia, Emily Adduddel, Jack Adduddel. She was looking forward to the birth of a new great-grandchild next year.
Jo was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Phillip Espinosa, Betty Ybarra, Virginia Aspegren, Ethel Garcia, Carmen Hernandez, Pauline Zendejas, Mary Gutierrez, and grandson, Keith Garcia.
The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to the Oncology Department at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, including Doctors Matthew Stein and Jodi Palmer, for their care and expertise throughout the years.
A rosary will be recited at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 2, 2023, at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence, with a visitation to follow until 8:00 pm.
Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the American Cancer Society or Douglas County VNA and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.
Dear Aunt Jo RIP. Will miss your big laugh. Sure miss talking to you and Uncle Bob from time to time. Say hello to everyone of the family in heaven. It sure a wonderful reunion catching up. Save me a spot next to you. Love you.
Hilario (Butch) Zendejas
Aunt Jo, Well you should be meeting my mom tell her we All miss her and my dad. Sad that we seem to see each other when someone leaves for Heaven but it is what it is. sure miss the old days when we All got together for a wedding a dance or just a visit.
RIP Aunt Jo,
Joe jr ( Hernandez)
My thoughts and prayers go out to Bob, Alan, Vince and Lisa . I am so sorry to hear about Jo’s passing . Her love for her family always came first . RIP Jo. You will be missed by so many .
Sorry for your loss. She was a great lady!
So sorry to hear of Jo’s passing. She was a sweet lady. RIP Jo.
So sorry to hear of Jo’s passing. I want to pass condolences along with my children and others kids that have memories of Jo and Bob from the Deerfield cafeteria. They were great with the kids.
Sorry to hear of your loss. She was a great lady. May she rest in peace.
I want to express my deepest sympathy to Bob and family. Jo was such a nice person. I enjoyed getting to know her at Deerfield School,
To Bob and family,
So sorry to hear about Jo. She was a great lady and a hard worker ay Hallmark Cards. Please accept my sincere prayers an condolences to you and your family.
Mr. Garcia My prayer is for peace of mind and heart for you and your family. I am so sorry to hear of Jo’s death. Jama King
Grandma,
We love you and are so thankful you were able to meet little Q. Thank you for always making us laugh and for always supporting us in following our dreams. I will always remember the small things like your yummy waffles and the family dinners at your house. I am so grateful to you for being a huge part of my childhood and for helping me become the person I am today. You are so loved and you will be truly missed! I love you Grandma.
Aunt Jo, you be missed as I recall the kindness the laughter, and the joy you brought to all that were in your presence. The opening of your home to me and the love and joy all of you gave. I am forever thankful. Rest in peace knowing that all you touched blossomed and bloomed you were a gift from God and we were all blessed to know you.
Michael Espinosa
Dear Bob, Alan, Vincent and Lisa, so sorry for your loss may she rest in peace…Mike and Rosemary Hadl
My deepest sympathies to the family. I remember Jo from Hallmark Cards. She was always a friendly face. Your picture memorial was so touching to see. Thoughts and prayers.
Jo was a lovely lady with a kind heart. Very fun to work with. Hugs and prayers to the family.