Josephine Mascarenas

Born March 15, 1924 in King, Colorado to Augustine & Margarita (Aragon) Salazar. She was the youngest of three siblings, Brother Pete and Sister Modesta (Molly). She was raised in the Denver Curtis Park neighborhood and attended Denver Public Schools, Gilpin Elementary, Cole Jr High and Manuel High School. Orphaned at a young age, she and her siblings were raised by her grandfather, Silvestre Aragon and Uncle & Aunt (Paul and Rose Aragon). In 1942, she was employed at Fort Logan at the beginning of WWII in laundry services, where she made many friends. She looked back on this time with great fondness. Upon leaving Fort Logan she and her uncle went to work for Armour Packing Plant in Denver where she remained for a couple of years. When speaking of her time at Armour she recalled preparing packages to send to the troops overseas. She was proud of her contribution to aid in the war effort.

She experienced more hardships as a teenager, having lost her grandfather and sister. Around 1947, she and her brother moved to Eastlake, Colorado and then into the Brighton, Colorado area. In 1948, she met the love of her life Gabriel Mascarenas at a local restaurant and this meeting blossomed into a lifelong relationship. Five years after that meeting, they married and were blessed with 5 children, Beatrice (Danny), Grace, Gabe Jr., Bernie, Ed (Marlana). She was a Homemaker throughout her marriage and her passion was caring for her children and grandchildren. Her special talents were making clothes for her children, cooking, crocheting, embroidery, drawing and making doll furniture and clothing.

She was extremely proud of the family that she and Gabriel created. She was a caring and giving individual and had such a warm and caring heart. With her welcoming demeanor everyone she came in contact with instantly considered her a friend. She enjoyed traveling, going to Las Vegas and Blackhawk where she hit several jackpots, but her favorite pastime was visiting and reminiscing with her family, extended family and friends. She was a woman of strong faith and held that faith to the very end saying to put Jesus before all else.

She was blessed with 8 grandchildren: Renee, Danielle (Chet), John, Dominic (Jill), Jeremy, Brianna, Daniel and Emily; 2 (adopted) granddaughters: Chantelle and Cassandra; 10 great grandchildren: Justin, Cory, Nathaniel, Givin, Jaxon, Tristan, Jet, Tenley, Tava, Carter; and 2 great-great grandchildren; Marae-lee and Jaelynn.

She is preceded in death by her husband Gabriel, her parents, her mother-in-law, Adelida, whom she considered her mother, her siblings, daughter Beatrice, unnamed son lost at birth, great granddaughter Tava and granddaughter Chantelle.

She will be deeply missed by all who knew her, but her smile and light will shine forever.

Service dates for Josephine Mascarenas are pending.