Josephine "Josie" (Hortega) Gusman

AURORA – Josephine “Josie” Gusman, 82, of Aurora, formerly of Ottawa, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, September 19, 2013, surrounded by her loving husband, daughter, three granddaughters and sister.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at noon Monday at St. Patrick’s Church in Ottawa.  Burial will follow in St. Columba Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. till 11:30 a.m. Monday at Gladfelter Funeral Home.

Josie was born February 8, 1931 in Sheffield, IL to Hilario and Leonarda (Oliveras) Hortega.  On November 25, 1950, she met the love of her life, Emilio Gusman at a wedding.  They married October 2, 1954 at St. Patrick’s Church in Sheffield, IL.

Josie was a feisty and sweet woman with an infectious smile and loving heart.  She loved to talk and enjoyed working.  She worked at Bakelite for 5 years and Value City for 21 years.  She finally retired at age 72.  Josephine greatly enjoyed selling Avon for 45 wonderful years.  Her pastimes included embroidery, reading and doing volunteer work, of which she served as a Pink Lady at the Community Hospital of Ottawa.  She also served as an election judge.

Josie had a very strong faith in God and the Catholic religion.  She would regularly pray for the well being of family, friends, and even pets.  She was an avid parishioner at St. Patrick’s Church in Ottawa.

Josephine valued family.  She had an exceptionally close relationship with her parents.  She was a loving mother to her daughter, Janice Cisneros and granddaughters, Jessica Cisneros, Joanna Albert, and Jenna Cisneros.

Following her retirement, Josie and Emilio would socialize with friends at the Cracker Barrel and Wal-Mart.  Josie supported her husband, a Korean War veteran, at military events.  Josie and Emilio made many new friends at dances hosted by the Ottawa Senior Center.

Josie was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend.  She will be eternally missed but never forgotten.  She will be joined in heaven by her son in-law, Jerry Cisneros, who passed away the same day 4 years ago.  Josie is survived by her wonderful and loving husband, Emilio Gusman; her daughter, Jan Cisneros; granddaughters Jessica Cisneros, Joanna (Ryan) Albert, and Jenna Cisneros; and her sisters, Sally Nazario and Mary Bowie; and numerous nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Hilario and Leonarda Hortega; her sister, Mona Delgado, and her son in-law, Jerry Cisneros.

Her family would like to thank The Neighbors Next Door and Harbor Light Hospice for their compassionate care of Josie on her last days.