Josephine was born on October 10, 1932, in Santa Fe, New Mexico to Florentino Diaz and Emilia Martinez Diaz. Josie was married in 1950 to Carlos Martinez with whom she shares her five (5) children. Josie and Carlos lived together in New Mexico, Wyoming and Denver, Colorado where they settled down and raised their family. In 1972 Jo married William “Bill” Kennedy and moved to her beloved home in Broomfield, Colorado, where she lived the rest of her life. After Bill passed in 1973, Jo worked for IBM, though her most cherished role was as a caregiver to many of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She kept an open door to her family and her children, and their families felt at home under her roof. Jo loved to crochet, and her hands stayed busy doing so while watching her favorite black and white films. Though her home was often filled with family, sharing meals and laughs, Jo spent her quiet mornings watching birds in her backyard, and grandchildren came by weekly to fill her feeders. She spoke about her love of driving and dreams of driving a truck cross-country. She enjoyed doing crafts, singing, and sharing jokes with family and friends. Though stubborn until the end, she was loving to all, and her friendship was cherished by many.
She is survived by her five (5) children: Frances Maes (James), Carlos Martinez (Mikki), Cecilia Maes (Steve), Michael Martinez and Stephen Martinez (Brandi), as well as 19 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren. She is predeceased by her husband Bill Kennedy (1973) and her former spouse Carlos Martinez (2017).
A public funeral service will be held at Olinger Highland on January 5, 2024, at 10:00am; 10202 Grant St. Thornton, CO 80229. The service will be followed by a burial ceremony at Olinger Crown Hill at 12:30pm; 7777 W. 29th Ave. Wheat Ridge, CO 80033. A reception to celebrate Josephine’s life will be held following the burial. Please contact Shayla Martinez-O’Brien, 720-394-7929, for details.
