DUDLEY – Josephine S. “Jo” (Smith) Brezenski, 75, of Barry Avenue, died peacefully in her home Saturday, June 16, with her family at her side, after a short illness.
She leaves her husband of 51 years, William; a brother, Francis Smith of Tiverton, RI; her son Robert and his wife Kathy, her granddaughter Kristin and her grandson Justin, all of Dudley.
She was born in Fall River and raised in Tiverton, RI, daughter of Arthur and Josephine (Rose) Smith. She graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in Fall River. As a teenager, her love of dancing led her to become a dance instructor. She taught dancing classes for people afflicted with cerebral palsy. She moved to Dudley when she married.
Mrs. Brezenski was a legal secretary for 35 years before retiring.
She was a volunteer officer for the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary for 25 years, involved in safety patrols on Narraganset Bay, and performed administrative duties.
She was a member and past president of the Dudley Veterans Auxiliary and a member of the Polish American Veterans Auxiliary in Webster.
She was a member of Saint Andrew Bobola Church. She was an excellent cook, a skill enhanced by classes at gourmet schools; her cooking and baking were appreciated by all who were fortunate enough to enjoy the results. She was an active person who enjoyed volunteering, boating, fishing, gardening and knitting. She spent many summer weekends on the ocean aboard family cabin cruisers docked in Wickford, RI.
The family wishes to acknowledge the compassionate care given to Jo at Saint Vincent’s Hospital, Webster Manor Rehab and the Visiting Nurse Association, especially Laura, Lisa and Merilis.
The funeral to celebrate her life will be held Wednesday, June 20, from the Sitkowski & Malboeuf Funeral Home, 340 School St., Webster, with a Mass at 10:00 AM in Saint Andrew Bobola Church, 54 West Main Street. Burial will be in St. Joseph Garden of Peace, Webster. Calling hours are from 5:00 to 8:00 PM Tuesday, June 19, in the funeral home. As beautiful as flowers are, the family is requesting that she be remembered by a donation to St. Andrew Bobola Church Elevator Fund, 54 West Main St., PO Box 98, Dudley, MA 01571-0098, so that other disabled persons of faith can attend Mass. If one wishes to remember her in another way, donations may be made to the Jimmy Fund, c/o Dana Farber Hospital, One Harvard St., Brookline, MA 02146.