Josephine Melda Tafoya

Josephine Tafoya was born in Penasco, NM on Dec 5th 1934. She was 1 of 10 kids to Rosarito & Cruz Pacheco and was the 2nd to the youngest of children. She preferred to go by Josie. Josie grew up on a farm, where she worked hard and had a pet pig. She always mentioned this pig. In this house, they didn’t have a washing machine & dryer, the stove required wood to heat it, and tortillas were made daily. Josie married, Joe B. Tafoya in Minturn, CO and moved to CA after Joe was discharged from the Army (He served in the Korean War). They eventually bought a house in Hawthorne, CA in 1960 and raised 4 kids; Joanne, Julie, Joe & Jackie and has 10 grand kids and 16 great grand kids. Josie’s first job was waitressing at Gee’s Steak House in Inglewood, where her sister-in-law Clonnie Gee and her husband, Jan Gee taught her how to waitress and cook. Josie made a career of waitressing and was an amazing cook. She always made enough for an army! For over 30 years, Josie worked as a hostess and waitress. Several customers would wait to be served by Josie, because she was so out-going, friendly and nice. She developed some great friendships. Josie also did some catering on the side, mainly for Home Savings Bank’s Grand Openings. She met several actors like, Charles Bronson, David Nelson, Alan Hale & Donna Douglas—to name a few. When Josie worked at the Forum Hotel as a hostess, she would call her kids to let them know when the Lakers were dining. She even managed to get 2 basketballs signed by the whole team! This is when Pat Riley was the coach and players like Magic Johnson & Kareem Abdul-Jabar were playing. Josie was also fond of crafts like, sewing, crocheting, decoupage & painting ceramic. She enjoyed sharing this talent with her kids and now they all enjoy crafts. Josie will also be remembered for her great smile, kind ways and unconditional love for her kids, grand kids & great grand kids and friends.

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