Josephine "Josie" Contrera Gates of Warren, Michigan, entered eternal life peacefully in her sleep while on a weekend trip with family in West Branch, Michigan. She was 76 years old.
Josie was a "Lunch Mom" at Crothers Elementary School in Warren, in the Center Line School District. She had served as a Lunch Mom for 10 years. Her daughter, Cathy Churilla, is a Para-Professional at Crothers, and her daughter-in-law, Barbara Gates, is the Secretary at Crothers. Her son-in-law, Lt. Gerry Churilla, Cathy's husband, is a Public Safety Officer for the city of Center Line. Josie will be missed by many family members, friends, and especially the students at Crothers Elementary School.
Josie had a wonderful sense of humor and had a ready smile for others. She enjoyed sharing her love of the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee with her friends.
Josephine is survived by her beloved husband, Charles; children, John (Barbara) Gates and Cathy (Gerry) Churilla; grandchildren, Katie, Krystin, and Steven; and siblings, Mike (Rosie) Contrera, Lucy (the late Stephen) Tarbuk, Philly (the late Julie) Presti, Mary (Bill) Renberg, the late Sam (Joanne) Contrera and the late Leo Contrera.
She was predeceased by her brothers, Sam (Joanne) Contrera and Leo Contrera; brother-in-law, Stephen Tarbuk; and sister-in-law, Julie Presti.
Visitation: Wednesday, March 5, 2008, 3-9 p.m. at Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons, Inc., 36900 Schoenherr Road at Metro Parkway (16 Mile Road), Sterling Heights, MI, 586-826-8550.
Funeral Mass of Christian Burial: In state Thursday, March 6, 2008, 9 a.m. until time of Mass at 9:30 a.m. at St. Blase Catholic Church, 12151 15 Mile Road, Sterling Heights, between Schoenherr and Van Dyke.
Committal Service Resurrection Cemetery Clinton Township.
Memorial contributions may be made to Karmanos Cancer Foundation, Attention: Developement Office, 4100 John Rd., Detroit, MI 48201, or the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan, 230 Huron View Blvd., Ann Arbor, MI 48103, 734-994-8620.
Memories may be shared with the family at their "On-Line Guest Book" at WujekCalcaterra.com
**In Memory Of Josephine Gates**
To Those I Love and Those Who Love Me
When I am gone, release me, let me go.
I have so many things to see and do.
You mustn't tie yourself to me with tears,
Be happy that we had so many years.
I gave you my love, you can only guess
How much you gave to me in happiness.
I thank you for the love you have shown
But now it's time I travel on alone.
So grieve awhile for me, if grieve you must
Then let your grief be comforted by trust.
It's only for a little while that we must part,
So bless the memories within your heart.
I won't be far away, for life goes on.
So if you need me, call and I will come.
Though you can't see or touch me, I'll be near.
And if you listen with your heart you'll hear
All of my love around you soft and dear.
And then, when you must come this way alone
I'll greet you with a smile and say,
"Welcome Home."
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and may Your perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace."
Josie was a "Lunch Mom" at Crothers Elementary School in Warren, in the Center Line School District. She had served as a Lunch Mom for 10 years. Her daughter, Cathy Churilla, is a Para-Professional at Crothers, and her daughter-in-law, Barbara Gates, is the Secretary at Crothers. Her son-in-law, Lt. Gerry Churilla, Cathy's husband, is a Public Safety Officer for the city of Center Line. Josie will be missed by many family members, friends, and especially the students at Crothers Elementary School.
Josie had a wonderful sense of humor and had a ready smile for others. She enjoyed sharing her love of the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee with her friends.
Josephine is survived by her beloved husband, Charles; children, John (Barbara) Gates and Cathy (Gerry) Churilla; grandchildren, Katie, Krystin, and Steven; and siblings, Mike (Rosie) Contrera, Lucy (the late Stephen) Tarbuk, Philly (the late Julie) Presti, Mary (Bill) Renberg, the late Sam (Joanne) Contrera and the late Leo Contrera.
She was predeceased by her brothers, Sam (Joanne) Contrera and Leo Contrera; brother-in-law, Stephen Tarbuk; and sister-in-law, Julie Presti.
Visitation: Wednesday, March 5, 2008, 3-9 p.m. at Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons, Inc., 36900 Schoenherr Road at Metro Parkway (16 Mile Road), Sterling Heights, MI, 586-826-8550.
Funeral Mass of Christian Burial: In state Thursday, March 6, 2008, 9 a.m. until time of Mass at 9:30 a.m. at St. Blase Catholic Church, 12151 15 Mile Road, Sterling Heights, between Schoenherr and Van Dyke.
Committal Service Resurrection Cemetery Clinton Township.
Memorial contributions may be made to Karmanos Cancer Foundation, Attention: Developement Office, 4100 John Rd., Detroit, MI 48201, or the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan, 230 Huron View Blvd., Ann Arbor, MI 48103, 734-994-8620.
Memories may be shared with the family at their "On-Line Guest Book" at WujekCalcaterra.com
**In Memory Of Josephine Gates**
To Those I Love and Those Who Love Me
When I am gone, release me, let me go.
I have so many things to see and do.
You mustn't tie yourself to me with tears,
Be happy that we had so many years.
I gave you my love, you can only guess
How much you gave to me in happiness.
I thank you for the love you have shown
But now it's time I travel on alone.
So grieve awhile for me, if grieve you must
Then let your grief be comforted by trust.
It's only for a little while that we must part,
So bless the memories within your heart.
I won't be far away, for life goes on.
So if you need me, call and I will come.
Though you can't see or touch me, I'll be near.
And if you listen with your heart you'll hear
All of my love around you soft and dear.
And then, when you must come this way alone
I'll greet you with a smile and say,
"Welcome Home."
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and may Your perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace."
Josephine "Josie" Contrera Gates of Warren, Michigan, entered eternal life peacefully in her sleep while on a weekend trip with family in West Branch, Michigan. She was 76 years old.
Josie was a "Lunch Mom" at Crothers Elementary School in Warren, in the Center Line School District. She had served as a Lunch Mom for 10 years. Her daughter, Cathy Churilla, is a Para-Professional at Crothers, and her daughter-in-law, Barbara Gates, is the Secretary at Crothers. Her son-in-law, Lt. Gerry Churilla, Cathy's husband, is a Public Safety Officer for the city of Center Line. Josie will be missed by many family members, friends, and especially the students at Crothers Elementary School.
Josie had a wonderful sense of humor and had a ready smile for others. She enjoyed sharing her love of the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee with her friends.
Josephine is survived by her beloved husband, Charles; children, John (Barbara) Gates and Cathy (Gerry) Churilla; grandchildren, Katie, Krystin, and Steven; and siblings, Mike (Rosie) Contrera, Lucy (the late Stephen) Tarbuk, Philly (the late Julie) Presti, Mary (Bill) Renberg, the late Sam (Joanne) Contrera and the late Leo Contrera.
She was predeceased by her brothers, Sam (Joanne) Contrera and Leo Contrera; brother-in-law, Stephen Tarbuk; and sister-in-law, Julie Presti.
Visitation: Wednesday, March 5, 2008, 3-9 p.m. at Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons, Inc., 36900 Schoenherr Road at Metro Parkway (16 Mile Road), Sterling Heights, MI, 586-826-8550.
Funeral Mass of Christian Burial: In state Thursday, March 6, 2008, 9 a.m. until time of Mass at 9:30 a.m. at St. Blase Catholic Church, 12151 15 Mile Road, Sterling Heights, between Schoenherr and Van Dyke.
Committal Service Resurrection Cemetery Clinton Township.
Memorial contributions may be made to Karmanos Cancer Foundation, Attention: Developement Office, 4100 John Rd., Detroit, MI 48201, or the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan, 230 Huron View Blvd., Ann Arbor, MI 48103, 734-994-8620.
Memories may be shared with the family at their "On-Line Guest Book" at WujekCalcaterra.com
**In Memory Of Josephine Gates**
To Those I Love and Those Who Love Me
When I am gone, release me, let me go.
I have so many things to see and do.
You mustn't tie yourself to me with tears,
Be happy that we had so many years.
I gave you my love, you can only guess
How much you gave to me in happiness.
I thank you for the love you have shown
But now it's time I travel on alone.
So grieve awhile for me, if grieve you must
Then let your grief be comforted by trust.
It's only for a little while that we must part,
So bless the memories within your heart.
I won't be far away, for life goes on.
So if you need me, call and I will come.
Though you can't see or touch me, I'll be near.
And if you listen with your heart you'll hear
All of my love around you soft and dear.
And then, when you must come this way alone
I'll greet you with a smile and say,
"Welcome Home."
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and may Your perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace."
Josie was a "Lunch Mom" at Crothers Elementary School in Warren, in the Center Line School District. She had served as a Lunch Mom for 10 years. Her daughter, Cathy Churilla, is a Para-Professional at Crothers, and her daughter-in-law, Barbara Gates, is the Secretary at Crothers. Her son-in-law, Lt. Gerry Churilla, Cathy's husband, is a Public Safety Officer for the city of Center Line. Josie will be missed by many family members, friends, and especially the students at Crothers Elementary School.
Josie had a wonderful sense of humor and had a ready smile for others. She enjoyed sharing her love of the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee with her friends.
Josephine is survived by her beloved husband, Charles; children, John (Barbara) Gates and Cathy (Gerry) Churilla; grandchildren, Katie, Krystin, and Steven; and siblings, Mike (Rosie) Contrera, Lucy (the late Stephen) Tarbuk, Philly (the late Julie) Presti, Mary (Bill) Renberg, the late Sam (Joanne) Contrera and the late Leo Contrera.
She was predeceased by her brothers, Sam (Joanne) Contrera and Leo Contrera; brother-in-law, Stephen Tarbuk; and sister-in-law, Julie Presti.
Visitation: Wednesday, March 5, 2008, 3-9 p.m. at Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons, Inc., 36900 Schoenherr Road at Metro Parkway (16 Mile Road), Sterling Heights, MI, 586-826-8550.
Funeral Mass of Christian Burial: In state Thursday, March 6, 2008, 9 a.m. until time of Mass at 9:30 a.m. at St. Blase Catholic Church, 12151 15 Mile Road, Sterling Heights, between Schoenherr and Van Dyke.
Committal Service Resurrection Cemetery Clinton Township.
Memorial contributions may be made to Karmanos Cancer Foundation, Attention: Developement Office, 4100 John Rd., Detroit, MI 48201, or the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan, 230 Huron View Blvd., Ann Arbor, MI 48103, 734-994-8620.
Memories may be shared with the family at their "On-Line Guest Book" at WujekCalcaterra.com
**In Memory Of Josephine Gates**
To Those I Love and Those Who Love Me
When I am gone, release me, let me go.
I have so many things to see and do.
You mustn't tie yourself to me with tears,
Be happy that we had so many years.
I gave you my love, you can only guess
How much you gave to me in happiness.
I thank you for the love you have shown
But now it's time I travel on alone.
So grieve awhile for me, if grieve you must
Then let your grief be comforted by trust.
It's only for a little while that we must part,
So bless the memories within your heart.
I won't be far away, for life goes on.
So if you need me, call and I will come.
Though you can't see or touch me, I'll be near.
And if you listen with your heart you'll hear
All of my love around you soft and dear.
And then, when you must come this way alone
I'll greet you with a smile and say,
"Welcome Home."
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and may Your perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace."
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