Josephine Anne Herrera, 1926 to 2023

Cherished Family Member and "Mom" to Many

It is with heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beautiful mother, Josephine Anne – Josie – Herrera at home the morning of July 31, 2023.  Josie was a lifelong, proud native Tucsonan. Predeceased by her parents, her husband Manuel Herrera Jr.,1 son, 2 grandsons, 2 great-grandchildren and 2 siblings. She is survived by 6 children; 13 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and 7 siblings. She was a second mother and mentor to others in our community and around the country. She served her church, St. Monica's, Pima County Community Justice Boards, Sunnyside Neighborhood including the All-American Student Awards, was active in the Sunnyside Unified School District, helped create and worked at Golden Elegance Boutique, participated in the Unified Community Advisory Board and water contamination clean up on the City's Southside. She was the Uber driver before Uber was created driving her children and neighborhood children to and from St. John's School. She had the biggest giving heart, earning the term "Savior of the World" from our Dad. She was both Mom and Dad while we were growing up since Dad worked 3 jobs. She truly was a role model from the "Greatest Generation" having also served her country as a stenographer during WWII at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. Her most beloved gifts were time spent with family. Early on, Josie and Manny enjoyed family vacations to the ocean and camping in the White Mountains. Mom had a green thumb and was happiest caring for her countless plants and working in her yard. Mom was an extremely strong-willed woman doing and living Her Way, Always, including the morning of her death, the day she picked to go to Heaven after battling her final round of cancer. Rest easy Mom, you are no longer in pain…we have it from here! Now you can dance in Heaven. Love you more, more, more!

From Mom: My personal thanks and gratitude to my homecare, Hospice, long and loving friends and Most of all my loving and caring family.

Adios mi queridos Tucson, que mi dio 97 anos de Amor batallas y el Amor de Dios.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite non-profit.