Josephine Storey, 98, passed away peacefully, Monday, November 23, 2015, in her home at Storey Lake on Doolittle Hill, Laceyville, PA, as the first snowflakes of winter fell. She lived a long, proud, hardworking, and generous life devoted to God and family.

Born near Wilkes-Barre, PA (Parsons) on February 9, 1917, she was the daughter of Andrew and Frances Krzykwa Deleski, who came to America from the Suwalki, Poland area around 1910. Her parents completed their journey when they came to the Meshoppen/Laceyville area in 1922 to farm, after her father had worked as a coal miner.

She married Charlie Storey, of Bunnell Hill, Meshoppen, in 1938. Together they raised two children, Fred, and Franny. In their early years, they worked together to run a dairy farm on Doolittle Hill, and later built Storey Lake and ran a fishing business on the family land. In later years, they also maintained rental properties in Wilkes-Barre, PA and Binghamton, NY. Josie also worked in the Bendix Plant in South Montrose, and before marrying, she worked in New York City, and the Wohl Department Store, in Laceyville. In her sixties, she worked in the Wyoming County Courthouse and Visitor's Booth. She was also a Sunday School teacher at St. Joachim's Church, Meshoppen, where she was a lifelong member.

Josie's legacy is not her world travels or degrees, having spent nearly all of her years within a few miles. She will always be remembered for her endless love of home and family and the art of homemaking, which she brought with her from the Deleski Family and extended to the Storey Family. To Josie, "home" was everything. She and her husband Charlie provided a warm and happy atmosphere, for all to join in, as all were welcome for friendly conversation and to share in a meal that was sure to be delicious. There was plenty of joking and teasing around the table, and Josie's hospitality will be remembered by all who came.

She had a special place in her heart for each of her nieces and nephews, and grandchildren, as well as her children and their spouses. She was always glad to hear news of each one, and was so proud of each family member's accomplishment and life. She appreciated each and every visit to her home, and even more so, in her homebound days.

She believed in the Democratic way of life and was always glad to discuss national and world news and politics, and voted in every election, including the most recent November election. Her keen mind and inquisitive nature stayed with her throughout her 98 years.

Josie also had an avid interest in wildlife and birds. She loved her view of Storey Lake and hear about the animal life around her home. Most of all, she loved to hear the hunting, fishing, and trapping stories from her children and grandchildren, following in the footsteps of her late husband.

In addition to her husband, Charlie, of 41 years, who predeceased her on October 1, 1979, she was also predeceased by her sisters, Estelle (Deleski) Boyanowski; Louise (Deleski) Smurkoski; sister–in-laws Lavina (Storey) Aylesworth; Harriet (Storey) Smith; Laura Murphy, and brother-in-law Stephen Storey.

She is survived by her son Fred (Doris) Storey; daughter Frances (Norman) Stretch; grandchildren Rhodonna (Storey) Hart, Fred Storey Jr., Tobias Stretch, Noah (Mollie) Stretch, Justin (Suellen) Stretch, Hannah Stretch, Charlie Stretch, Joe Stretch, and Mary Stretch. She also has seven great grandchildren: Jacob and Natalie Hart, and Elissa, Abby, Owen, Eliana, and Lavinia Stretch. She is also survived by a special cousin, Florence Slusarz, and a few close friends, Dorothy Ray, and Joan Picotti.

Josie was able to stay in her home with the support of special caregivers who most recently were: Wendy Meehan, Ethel Walter, Rose Hunsinger, Shirley Gavazzi, Karen Robinson, Michelle Engel, Jennifer Horn, Jill Nickeson, Robin Brown, Rosemary Kolbeck and Sandy Brown. All other helpers through the years will also be remembered for their kindnesses.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday November 28, 2015 at 10:00 AM from the Sheldon Funeral Homes, SR 6, Meshoppen, PA. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM from the St. Joachim's Roman Catholic Church, Meshoppen, PA with Father Joseph Manarchuck of the church officiating. Interment will follow at the St. Joachim's Cemetery. Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Friday evening November 27, 2015 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM, a Rosary will be recited at the funeral home at 7:30 PM Friday evening.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Perpetual Help *St. Joachim's Roman Catholic Church; 245 State St., Wyalusing, PA 18853 or to the St. Joachim's Cemetery Association; C/O Roger Furman 2431 SR 3004 Montrose, PA 18801.

Online condolences may be made at www.sheldonfuneralhomes.com