Josephine J. Beaudette of Southbridge, formerly of Gloucester, died Friday, March 23, 2012 at home with family members at her side. Born in Barre, she was the daughter of the late Anthony and Lucia Ingemi of North Brookfield.
Since moving to Southbridge in 1975, Jo was an enthusiastic citizen and then employee of the town. She worked as a Youth Coordinator for the CETA Program for several years, as principal clerk for the Dept. of Social Services, then as a Secretary for SCM Elderbus for 14 years. She reluctantly retired in late 1999 at the age of 82 due to back problems.
Jo was more engaged at the age of 94 than many of those half her age. She enjoyed her nightly Scrabble games with Ellen and Suzanne , and looked forward to her visits from her family, relatives, and friends, especially her dear friend Gail Utakis. She rarely missed her daily dose of chocolate, the occasional healthy rum-and-Coke, her special television shows, and evening phone calls from her youngest sons. She never forgot a kindness, wrote beautiful notecards, and even though she was often uncomfortable with various ailments, she was very much a participant in every happening at 128 Highland St.
Jo is preceded in death by her husband, Omer R. Beaudette, a well-known local pharmacist who passed away in 1980, as well as siblings Sister James Anthony of the Sisters of St. Joseph, Grace Gaudette, Mary Prescott, and Irene Figoni .
Jo is survived by her sister Laura Danek of Enfield, CT as well as her brother John Ingemi of North Brookfield. She leaves three sons Dr. Louis A. Beaudette and his wife Cynthia of Wilmington , Vt. , Robert J. Beaudette and his wife Susan of Gloucester, and former Chief of Police John E. Beaudette and his wife Laurinda of Gloucester, and two daughters, Linda A. Streng and her husband Peter of Westport Point, and Ellen G. Beaudette and her partner Suzanne Wolf of Southbridge, with whom Jo lived. In addition, she leaves four grandchildren Lisa Bosco, and Marc, Ross, and Paul Beaudette, 2 great grandchildren; Jack and Lauren Bosco, as well as many nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be held on Wednesday, March 28 from the J.HENRI MORIN & SON FUNERAL HOME, 23 Maple Terr., Spencer with a Memorial Mass to be held at 11a.m. in St. John the Baptist Church, No. Brookfield Rd. , E. Brookfield. Burial will follow in Mary, Queen of the Rosary Cemetery , Spencer. A calling hour will precede the funeral on Wednesday from 9:30 to 10:30a.m. in the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Summit Eldercare, 88 Masonic Home Road , Charlton , MA 01507, or to Tri-Valley Elder Services, 10 Mill Street , Dudley , MA 01571