Josephine Helen Crozier
We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Josephine (Jo) Helen Crozier of Nelson, BC on Wednesday February 27, 2013 at Kelowna General Hospital.
Jo unexpectedly succumbed to complications resulting from abdominal surgery at the age of 65 years.
Jo was born in Nelson BC on July 13, 1947. She was pre-deceased by her parents Barbara and Ted Tencza also of Nelson BC.
Jo attended Central Elementary School, Trafalgar Junior High and she graduated from LV Rogers High School in 1966. After a brief try at being a telephone operator (a shocking experience) she studied practical nursing at the Nelson Vocational School. She did her practicum in Trail and then supported her student husband, Rick, by working at the Vancouver General children’s ward.
Jo and her husband Rick were boyfriend/girlfriend from the age of 16 and married at the age of 21 on August 31, 1968. They were in love, inseparable and devoted to each other from that early age until Jo’s passing. Their first child, Michelle, was born in Nelson when Rick was in his 3rdyear at UBC so Jo stayed at her mom’s home in Nelson while Rick finished up his university degree. They then moved to Kitimat in 1970 for Rick’s first job in the environmental field. Their son Jon was born in Kitimat and it was six months later the young family made their next move to Cranbrook where Rick started his long environmental career with the BC Government. In 1974 they moved back to Nelson where their life together all started. Jo decided to be a stay at home mom until the children graduated from high school and she then went back to working in retail and as a merchandizer for Proctor and Gamble.
Jo and Rick enjoyed travelling and made several trips to Hawaii, eastern Canada and a trip to England Ireland, Scotland and France. They had long planned a family vacation to Hawaii this spring to celebrate their 45thwedding anniversary with the kids and grandkids but the family will now sadly be going without her and will continue on knowing that is what she would have wanted us to do.
Jo was a long-time volunteer at the Community Health baby clinics and commented that she had seen the babies of babies she had first weighed and measured at the clinics. She also volunteered every year at the flu clinics and at the Nelson Nordic Busk fee collection booth.
Jo was an active member of the Nelson Kootenay Quilters Guild, Nimble Thimbles Ladies and produced many baby quilts for the Kootenay Lake Hospital auxiliary shop. Her quilts are also found in the homes of many family members and friends. She was well known for her fresh cinnamon buns which she brought to each quilting meeting and also shared with many friends and neighbours. Jo loved her cats and will be missed by both Molly and Mitzi her favorite Persians. Her vegetable garden, and especially her famous lettuce plants,will be missed by many who tasted them over the years.
Jo is survived by her husband of 44 years, Rick, her daughter Michelle (Mark) and son Jon (Patti). She is also survived by her grandchildren Thomas, Megan, Julianna and Jake. Jo loved her grandchildren with all her heart and wanted to share as much time with them as possible. They will miss her warm snuggly hugs, cookies and treats.
Jo is also survived by her brother Joe Tencza, sisters Bernice Ficke (Frank), Kay Tencza and Gwen Hergott (Gerry) as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews throughout BC and Alberta.
A celebration of Jo’s life will be held at the Nelson Curling Club lounge on Saturday March 30th2013 at 11 AM.
As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to the Kootenay Animal Assistance Program Society (KAAP), c/o 3423 Renwick Rd. Nelson, BC V1L 6X7 or the Kootenay Lake District Hospital Foundation, 3 View Street, Nelson BC V1L 2V1.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.thompsonfs.ca
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Thompson Funeral Service Ltd.
