Josephine Mary Bremis

Josephine Mary Bremis was born on November 14, 1928, on Second Street in Watsonville to Italian immigrants, John and Letitia Tapella.

She was raised on Stender Avenue in Pajaro, attended Pajaro School and was a proud graduate of Moreland Notre Dame. After dating for years, Josie married the love of her life, Paul Bremis, also a Watsonville native, on April 18, 1953.

Family and friends were very important to her, and she enjoyed hosting many delicious dinners. Another of her passions was golf, so much so that she did not give it up until she was well into her eighties. While Paul and Josie enjoyed numerous cruises and travels to Europe, they were always happy to come home to the Pajaro Valley, which they referred to as "God's country."

Nephew David Bradley summed up Josie with the following words: "Aunt Josie was one of the STRONGEST human beings I ever knew or will know. If Heaven needs a restructuring, the right person is arriving to get that done. She could have run a country. She outlived EVERYONE in her generation, I am going to guess through sheer will and tremendous self-discipline. Aunt Josie was a force to be reckoned with and she will be missed. I am glad she left four wonderful children to carry on her legacy."

Besides her parents, Josie was preceded in death by her husband Paul, brother John Tapella and sister Norma Jean Bradley. She leaves behind her son, John of Morgan Hill, daughters Janice of San Jose, Karen of Watsonville, and Nancy (Mike) Wagoner of Watsonville. In addition, she leaves her beloved grandchildren, Briana of Corralitos, Zachary of Watsonville and Joshua of Aptos.

Services will be private; burial will be at Watsonville Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to Moreland Notre Dame School (133 Brennan Street, Watsonville 95076) would be appreciated. Mehl's Colonial Chapel has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.

Published in The Pajaronian · August 27, 2024