Obituary of Josephine Mena

Long-time Hollister resident Josephine Mena passed away in Tracy, California on June 4th, 2020 at the age of 89 years. Josephine Mena was born March 23, 1931 in Denver, Colorado to Cora (Jovita) & Aurelio Perales. Josephine left this life June 4, 2020 at the age of 89. Josie was preceded in death by her husband Paul R. Mena, her young baby Larry Garcia, her parents, Cora and Aurelio Perales, her brothers Joseph Perales, Daniel Perales and her sister Juanita Wilson. She leaves behind her sons Arnold Garcia, Jonas Garcia and Mark Mena, her grandchildren, Brian Garcia, Tyson Garcia, Daniella Garcia, Thais Hamner and Deisha Garcia. Her siblings James Perales, Mike Perales, Jonathan Perales, Susan Avitia, and Carla Talavera. She also leaves many nephews and nieces that she loved dearly. Our family moved to Hollister, CA in 1941, Josie spent the rest of her life here in Hollister. Going into a store meant an hour or two there. She knew everyone and would talk with everyone. She loved our small town. She went to work in the cannery at 16, started from the bottom and became a floor lady at a young age, a title she held dear. She was a tough cookie, yet a good teacher. She was not one to call in sick or just take a day off. She had many years with perfect attendance, she had a work ethic that we all admired. In her early days she was a Girl Scout Leader, she enjoyed teaching these young girls how to craft, cook and their book lessons. She was proud of their advancements. Josephine’s love for bears continued to the end, her house had bears everywhere. Even called her husband “the Bear”, so when you see a bear think of her. Bears will always remind us of you Mama Josie! With some friends she loved taking her trips, sometimes just to San Francisco to shop and sometimes a cruise to Mexico. Her favorite trip was to Hawaii with her husband Paul, she had a great time there. Later when they both retired, they enjoyed going with the seniors to Reno and Laughlin, it was a lot of fun especially when they came home winners. When all the nieces and nephews were young Josephine would start a Christmas club for each of them and made sure by Christmas they all had an equal amount, she would then give them the money and that was on top of Christmas gifts. She had a giving heart this is how we will remember her. She loved her 49ers and her Giants, good and bad times they were number one with her. Josephine loved to dress for our parties and gatherings. Always put together on point, her hair, her nails and her make up. Our memory will be her red lipstick and that smile. She loved her family so much, proud of our accomplishments and she would encourage us to strive harder. She wanted better for all of us. Services will be held at Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home on Tuesday, June 16th at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery.