By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Josephine Lemos
Feb. 5, 1920 - Dec. 18, 2012
Josephine M  Lemos

Josephine Madeline Lemos passed away on Tuesday, December 18, 2012 at Turlock Nursing and Rehabilitation in Turlock.  She was born on February 5, 1920 in Kerman, California to Joe and Mary Dias.  She attended schools in Kerman and was married October 18, 1941 to Raymond Joseph Lemos, Sr. of Modesto, who preceded her in death on February 8, 2000.
Josephine was also preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Mary Dias; five brothers, Joaquin Dias, Frank Dias, Joe Dias, Louis Dias, and Manuel Dias; two sisters, Mary Machado and Isabel Lemos; two sons, Ed Lemos and Ray Lemos, Jr.; son-in-law, Art Fletcher; daughter-in-law, Debbie Lemos, two grandchildren, David Terra and Sara Terra; three great-grandchildren, Jessica Fletcher, Jason Woodson, and Jesse Woodson IV; and one great-great grandchild, Alyssa Santos.
Josephine is survived by her children, Mary Fletcher of Delhi, California; Frances Williams (Pat) of Roseville, California; Louise Terra (Bill) of Modesto, California; John Lemos (Lu Ann) of Edmonds, Oklahoma; Rose Lemos (Bill) of Las Vegas, California; Lawrence Lemos (Jodee) of Elk Grove, California; 21 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; and 5 great-great grandchildren.  She also leaves her sisters, Eva Pritt of Modesto, Lavina Nunnalee of Fresno, Maryann Snyder of Fresno, a brother, John Dias of Manteca, and many more relatives and friends.
Josephine spent most of her married life as a homemaker raising her eight children.  Early in her marriage, as a dairyman’s wife, she would often divide her time between working inside her home, as well as working outside around the dairy, as needed.  Hard work and family were the driving forces in her life.
Josephine later worked at Banquet Foods in Turlock for over 10 years.  After her retirement from Banquet Foods, Josephine enjoyed time with her husband, Raymond, as they traveled and spent time with visiting family.
Josephine’s talents and passions included a love of cooking, sewing, gardening, and crafts, such as macramé, ceramics, painting craft objects.  Her pride in her Portuguese heritage was displayed throughout the years as she cooked many favorite Portuguese dishes using recipes handed down by her mother. Josephine was widely known, by family and friends, for her favorite dishes of Portuguese beans and sweet bread.  It was common for her to make dozens upon dozens of sweet bread loaves and rolls to give to family and friends who loved her cooking, but especially on holidays.
Along with cooking, sewing was another one of the joys in Josephine’s life.  When her family was young, she would sew many of the clothes for herself, her husband, and her children.  She would, also, sew many other items for around her house, such as curtains and bedding.  Josephine enjoyed sewing well into her later years.
There isn’t a green thumb on the planet who could work the magic of growing plants, flowers, vegetables, and trees as Josephine was able to do her whole life.  It was always amazing to see some twig or shriveled up plant come to life under Josephine’s care and love.  She loved plants and flowers of all kinds, but she was especially proud of her roses.  She would often graft favorite varieties together to see how much more beautiful the blooms would be as they grew.  Josephine also loved to grow vegetables and fruits that she would can or freeze for her family to enjoy during the rest of the year. 
Josephine’s creative talents extended to doing macramé, ceramics, and painting various craft objects.  She loved to create many artful projects, and she was a perfectionist who took great pride in her work.  Later in her life, when her health kept her from doing more demanding activities, Josephine would paint art objects that won her 1st place ribbons at the Stanislaus County Fair.
A rosary for Josephine M. Lemos will be held at Allen Mortuary, 247 N. Broadway, Turlock on Wednesday, December 26, 2012.  Viewing will be from 5-7 pm.  Rosary will be said at 7 pm.
A funeral mass will be said on Thursday, December 27th at 9:30 am at Sacred Heart Church, 1301 Cooper Avenue, Turlock.
Interment will be at Turlock Memorial Park, 425 North Soderquist Road, Turlock.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Josephine’s memory to Hospice of Emanuel, 1850 Colorado Avenue, Turlock, CA  95382 or to the American Heart Association, Modesto, CA.