Josephine "Jo" Louise Estrada

Josephine, known to most as Jo, was born June 24, 1939 in Somerville, NJ to Joseph Farese and Marguerite Fichter, the youngest of 7 children.

Josephine was a customer service-oriented lady who made friends where ever she worked. Throughout her career, her most favorite jobs were working at schools as a lunch lady, at the gift shop at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and Big Lots cashiering and in accounting. Josephine and her husband have lived in the same home for 50+ years in Widefield.

Jo left New Jersey in 1977 as a widow and moved across country with 3 kids. Her family says she paved the way for future generations to enjoy Colorado. Before this stroke, throughout the last 7 years, she had a few previous serious medical incidents but each time she woke up and persevered through it. This time it was not in the Lord’s plans, and she went home to be with the Father. She was a brave, strong woman who touched many hearts.

Her passions were being with her family in her backyard, under the patio or shade trees, watching the birds, squirrels and butterflies. Her yard was full of flowers that attracted birds and she enjoyed spending time watching and waiting for hummingbirds, robins and woodpeckers to appear and delight. She always had a faithful companion by her side; one of the many cats she loved over the years and adopted from various shelters. She did not play the banjo.

Jo was preceded in death by her parents, 2 brothers, 4 sisters and previous husband. Her brothers and sisters left New Jersey as well and were spread across the country from California to Maine. She is survived by her husband Guadalupe Estrada, an Army Veteran of 20 years, sons John (Roseanne) Forgash, James Forgash, daughter Cindy (Steve) Beier, two grandsons, four granddaughters, and one great granddaughter.

The family has planned a memorial service to honor Jo’s life which will be held on Mar 13 at 11 am at Dove-Witt Funeral Home, 6330 S. U.S Hwy 85/87, Fountain, CO, 80817. In honor of her wish to visit to Hawaii, the family has opted for casual dress and Hawaiian shirts. She will be buried at Pikes Peak National Cemetery at 2 pm.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Dove-Witt.com. Because Jo loved animals and children, in lieu of flowers please consider making a donation in her name to the Dumb Friends League (a Denver based animal shelter), Pikes Peak Humane Society and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.