Josephine Louise Paulson

Josephine Louise Paulson (Jo), 84, passed peacefully away on June 12, 2017 at home in Everett, Washington.  

Jo was born to Donald and Hanna Roby on July 30, 1932 in Port Townsend, Washington.  Preceding her in death were her parents, her eldest brother: David Roby; her sisters: Donna Harshbarger, and as a baby, Elmira Roby; her 1st husband: Abe Myers, her 2nd husband: Bill Strickland, and her 3rd husband: Carol Paulson.  She is survived by her brother: Albert Roby; her sisters: Mabel Ellen Roby, and Eileen Corey; her five children (and their spouses), Richard (and Carol) Myers, Donald (and Cindi) Myers, Alfred (and Linda) Myers, Bernice (and Paul) Brower, Ralph (and Rhonda) Myers, and two adopted Guatemalan boys: Franco (and Naara) Hernandez Paulson and Julio (Ingrid) Hernandez Paulson and many grandchildren, great- and great-great-grandchildren.

Jo spent most of her childhood in Gig Harbor, Washington.  Her dearest childhood memories were of her Grandma McIntyre, her folks, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles and many cousins in family gatherings and her Daddy's music, especially the fiddle and banjo.

Jo lived in 84 houses in her 80+ years and in the following places: Washington (both Eastern and Western), Oregon, California, Pennsylvania, North Dakota, Colorado, Virginia, and in British Columbia, Canada.  Because of this Aunt Olive named her Wandering Jew Vine "Josephine."

While her children were young, she took Nurse's training, which served her well and which she really enjoyed.  It helped her put her children through SDA Christian schools.  She also made and sold jam, and joked about jamming her kids through school.

With her first husband, Abe, though divorced, they remained friends which was a blessing for the sake of  the family.  Her second husband, Bill, was a marine. They were married for about 18 years.  Her third husband, Carol, was a really good man and their eight years together were a joy. 

After becoming a widow on Thanksgiving Day 1991, Jo took an adventurous trip to Guatemala with missionary friends and stayed a full month in the Hernandez home. While driving four days in Mexico Jo really learned the scripture: "Pray without ceasing!"  The Hernandez family became a big part of Jo's life when several of the Hernandez boys lived with Jo in Shelton, Washington for several years and called her: "Momma Jo" which eventually morphed into "Momma Jo the Jewish Jeremiah Monkey" because of her Jewish heritage and deep study in the book of Jeremiah (the boys added Monkey).  On May 15, 1996 she adopted two of the boys. 

Jo was able to step into each new age with grace and dignity, but when she found out she was the mother of a great-grandfather, she said:  "That's shocking!"  Jo felt so blessed with her five children, many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, and Guatemalan boys.

March 24, 2017, Jo was feeling poorly, and was taken to the hospital where tests revealed she had cancer in the pancreas, liver, and the base of her skull. She went to live with her daughter, Bernice and son-in-law, Paul Brower for her final care.  The Lord blessed her with an abnormally good quality of life for the remainder of her days.  She passed peacefully and is looking forward to our Lord Jesus' return where we will all be reunited again.

Josephine Paulson's memorial service is on Saturday, July 1st at 3:00 PM at the Auburn City SDA Church, 402 29th St SE, Auburn, WA 98002. Rather than a full-fledged potluck, we are requesting those who wish to bring food for fellowship afterwards keep it simple vegetarian fare, like snacks or hors-d'oeuvres. We will have a time during the service for those who wish to share their favorite memories or funny stories of Mom. I look forward to the really big celebration in Heaven when we are all together again.

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