WEBSTER -- Josephine A. “Josie” (Tokarz) Duquette, 74, of 96 Slater Street, died Monday, April 2, in Radius Healthcare Center, Worcester, after an illness. Her late husband, Kenneth G. Duquette, died in 1992.
She leaves a son, Kenneth M. Duquette and his wife Patricia M. of Oxford; 2 daughters, Cheryl A. Balicki and her husband Philip A. of Ware and Lorna R. Lawrence and her husband Richard K. of Arlington, TX; a sister, Christine Ducharme and her husband Robert of Dudley; a brother, Louis Tokarz and his wife Carol of Wappingers Falls, NY; 2 grandchildren, Christopher and Sarah Balicki, and a future grandchild; 2 step grandsons, Michael and Brian Plouffe; 3 step great granddaughters, Mykenzie, Cadence and Cayliana; her former sister-in-law, Geraldine Evans and her husband Richard of East Hartford, CT; many nieces and nephews.
She was born and raised in Webster, the daughter of Louis and Mary M. (Mitchell) Tokarz. She lived in St. Augustine and Jacksonville, FL for 15 years before returning to Webster in 1997. She graduated from Bartlett High School in 1950 and from the Hahnemann School of Nursing in Worcester in 1953.
Mrs. Duquette was a registered nurse at health facilities, including Webster Manor and Oakwood Convalescent Home. She was also a private duty nurse. She retired in 1997.
She was a former member of St. Andrew Bobola Church in Dudley. She enjoyed walking, cooking and family.
Funeral services will be private at the convenience of the family. There are no calling hours. Donations in her memory may be made to Allegiance Hospice, 67 Middle St., Suite 503, Lowell, MA 01852. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Scanlon Funeral Service, 38 East Main Street.