CHESTER - Josephine Finley, 90, of Chester, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday morning, Dec. 1, 2009.
Born on June 29, 1919, in East Liverpool, she was a daughter of the late Thomas and Sophie Surdyka Smusz, and wife of the late Robert Finley, who was a self-employed building contractor and was associated with the former Finley Brothers Lumber Co.
In her younger days, she was a presser at the former Floyds Dry Cleaner in Chester. In her later years she was employed 28 years at Citizen's Drug Store as a clerk and buyer until her retirement in 1994. Much earlier, Josephine had worked at the former Rock Springs Park as a snake handler.
A member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Chester, she was also a life member of the Lady Elks, VFW Post 6450 ladies auxiliar and American Legion Post 121 ladies auxiliary for 60 years.
Josephine loved to sew and make clothes and quilts, and play all kinds of games like bridge, cribbage and euchre, and at one time was associated with the E.L. duplicate bridge club.
She was known as warm, caring, and devoted "Grandma Jo" to her granddaughters, family, and friends, which include two sons, John T. Finley of Chester, and Robert Finley and his wife Bernadette of Weirton; two loving granddaughters, Kristen Finley, and Amy Taylor and her husband Matt; and one faithful and loving sister, Martha Adams and her husband James of Georgetown, Pa.
Preceding her in death besides her husband and parents were brothers, Adolph and John Pat Smusz, and sisters, Helen Jackson, Frances Trimble, and Mary Mackall.
Also surviving are two dear nieces, Michele Bernardi and Jackie Hill, and her great neighbors, the Gary Stevens family.
Josephine was always thinking of others with her cards and many letters. Her kindness and thoughtfulness made her the very special person that everyone knew. She will continue be greatly missed and deeply loved by her family and friends.
Rev. Katrina Lewis will conduct a service to celebrate Josephine's life on Saturday Dec. 5, 2009, at 11 a.m. at Arner Funeral Chapel in Chester, where the family will be present to receive friends on Friday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Interment will be at the Locust Hill Cemetery in Chester.
Memorial contributions may be made in Josephine's memory to the American Heart Association online at donate.americanheart.org. Online condolences may be sent to arnerfc@arnerfuneralchapel.com.
