Josephine Lucille Saucedo

Josephine "Jo" Lucille Saucedo (nee Stefanini), a beloved member of the Watsonville community, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 14, 2024. Born on February 28, 1935, in Aromas, California, to Gino and Rita (Cagni) Stefanini, Josephine grew up on the Stefanini family ranch in the Elkhorn area of Watsonville. Josephine was well known for her kind and caring heart, as well as her inner strength.

Josephine met the love of her life, Manuel "Manny" Saucedo at Watsonville High School. She asked him to the Sadie Hawkins Dance when she was just a freshman in high school, and they were together from that point on. They wed on August 2,1953, shortly after Josephine graduated from high school, and were married for an amazing 71 years. Together they raised a beautiful family that includes their four children: Tony (Alma), Doug (Jackie), Cheryl (Carol), and Mark (Amie). Their enduring partnership was a testament to the love and commitment they shared, a love that extended to their five grandchildren: Adam Saucedo, Kristie Saucedo, Ryan Saucedo (Michelle), Zack Saucedo (Caitlynn), and Garrett Saucedo (Bianca).

While at Watsonville High School Josephine, like her husband Manuel, was an athlete, and as a member of the Girl's Athletic Society, she was one of the few women to earn an athletic letter. She was also very active in the Manzanita, the school yearbook, and student body government. When Manuel entered the Navy, she said her favorite song was "Harbor Lights" by the Platters, as it reminded her of Manuel.

Josephine retired from the Pajaro Valley Unified School District after 30 years of service. She was a secretary at the District Curriculum Center, Aromas School, Bradley School, and the PVUSD District Office. She shared a passion for sports like Manuel, and together they were familiar faces at countless sporting events, cheering for their children and grandchildren with unwavering enthusiasm. She was affectionately known as the "Candy Lady" because she always had a large bag of candy in her purse that she would share with the fans and athletes alike. Josephine was the consummate cook and oversaw the annual making of the family's Italian dishes of gnocchi for Thanksgiving, and ravioli for Christmas, a tradition that will be continued.

Josephine cherished time with her family and was also a member of the Sons of Italy and a life member of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority.

Josephine's life, like Manuel's, was a beautiful blend of family, friendship, and service to others. She is survived by her loving children, grandchildren, and a brother, Gino Stefanini, along with numerous nieces and nephews. She will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, and friend. As we remember Josephine, let us celebrate the warmth she brought to everyone and the enduring impact she had on many lives in the Watsonville area.

The family would like to thank her nurse, Elizabeth Ríos, for the outstanding care she provided. We would also like to express our appreciation to the staff at Valley Convalescent Hospital for the excellent care she received.

The viewing will be at Mehl's Colonial Chapel on Thursday, January 9, 2025 from 5:00-9:00 p.m. Funeral services will also be held at Mehl's on Friday, January 10, 2025 at 10:00 a.m., with burial to follow at 12:00 at Valley Public Cemetery.

Published in The Pajaronian · December 27, 2024