Cover photo for Josephine Lasswell's Obituary
Josephine

Josephine Lasswell

d. May 21, 2020

Josephine Irigoyen Lasswell died peacefully at home with family on Thursday, May 21, 2020.

She was born Monday, December 14, 1925, in Las Cruces, NM. Her parents were Francisco Irigoyen and Aurelia Garcia Irigoyen. She was the eldest of five children, including two brothers, Edmund and Raymond, and a sister, Mary Egley, who predeceased her. One sister, Dolores Nixon, is still living in Hawthorne, Nevada. Josephine grew up in Belen, NM and in the old town area of Albuquerque. She attended Catholic school in old town until high school when she went to Albuquerque High. She played the clarinet in the AHS marching band. Her other musical talents included violin, piano, and guitar. She had a natural ability to play almost any instrument; she was also a great dancer. Josephine (Jo) worked at La Placita restaurant in the Old Town Plaza, Magidson’s Deli, and Western Electric, where she met Roy Lasswell. Roy and Jo were married in the San Felipe de Neri church in 1947. After raising their three children, Jo went to work for Albuquerque Public Schools, as a secretary. She served at McKinley middle school, Comanche Elementary, and Sombra Del Monte Elementary. When she retired from APS, she took on many volunteer positions including work at the Highland Senior Center, St. Vincent de Paul Society, St. Martin’s homeless shelter, and the Women’s Housing Coalition.

Jo was a devout Catholic, an active member of Our Lady of Fatima parish, and served on the board of the Fatima Women’s Guild. In her younger days, Jo was a fan of Lobo basketball and the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra and held season tickets to both for several years. Jo’s leisure activities included walking, camping, gardening, and cooking outstanding New Mexican dishes. She enjoyed hosting backyard parties with family, friends, and neighbors. She was devoted to her children and grandchildren. She supported many charities for needy children. She also loved her pets - dogs, cats, & birds.

Josephine is survived by her children, Barbara Lasswell, Gary Lasswell, and Linda Spaulding; grandchildren, Oliver Westerfield, Kevin Wong, Jennifer Bradford, and Dylan Spaulding; three great-grandchildren, Alexandra Bradford, Xavier Westerfield, and Henry Spaulding. Josephine became known as Nano, so named by the first grandchild (Oliver), and was called Nano by many others, children and adults alike, who loved her. Nano will be sorely missed.

A small, private burial service will be held at a later date, to be determined. Anyone wishing to honor Josephine’s memory could do so by contributing to a food bank or other organizations helping people in need during this stressful time.

To send flowers to the family in memory of Josephine Lasswell, please visit our flower store.

Guestbook

Visits: 12

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Send Flowers

Send Flowers

Send a Card

Send a Card