Obituary of Josephine F. McGarry

Josephine F. McGarry of Tucson, AZ, born on August 4, 1934 in Sanchez, AZ, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 29, 2014. She had a lifelong love of art, dancing, gardening, sports and travel. Her home is filled with various oil paintings that she created throughout the years. She and Larry loved to dance and could jitter-bug for hours. While in Madrid, Spain, they won "King and Queen" of a Square Dancing competition. As a USAF military spouse, she especially enjoyed living in Madrid, Spain, and in the Philippines. While residing in Europe, she delighted in weekend sojourns to ancient castles and towering monuments. In Lourdes, France, she relished in her visit to the remote grotto where the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared in 1858. It was here that she acquired Holy Water to send back to her own ailing mother, Alice. But she especially loved her family and caring for them made her happy. Josephine was preceded in death by her parents, Alice and Edisteo Fajardo, and sister, Olivia. Survivors include her husband of 51 years, Lawrence (Larry) K. McGarry, and two daughters, Cynthia Ybarra, and JoAnne "Dee Dee" Ellis; two grandchildren, Brianna and Rhett (and wife Denisse) and two great-grandchildren, Reese and Matthew. Also step-daughter, Elizabeth Cloud, and step-son, Ken McGarry (and wife Holli); three step-grandchildren, Samantha, Jennifer (and husband Walter), Matthew (and wife Teresa); and six step-great grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters, Margaret and Alphy, and five brothers, Manuel (and wife Olivia) Amadeo (and wife Elvia), Arturo, Daniel (and wife Connie) and Angelo (and wife Clara), along with numerous nieces and nephews. Josephine's family greatly appreciated the care, love and compassion of long-time caregiver, Grace Gowett; and to all who participated in her health and well-being, her teams of physicians and their staffs, and all visiting nurses of Casa de la Luz Hospice. Memorial Funeral Mass, Saturday, September 13, 2014, 1:30 PM at Our Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church, 1800 South Kolb Road, Tucson, Arizona. Reception to follow in the church hall at which relatives and friends are invited to attend.