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Josephine Topshe Obituary
Family-Placed Death Notice
TOPSHE, Josephine Josephine Isabelle Joseph Topshe, 94, of Sandy Springs, departed life Thursday, September 8, 2011. Josephine was born in Albany, GA to immigrant parents from Lebanon. She was raised there and eventually met her husband, Norman. They married in 1940, and moved to Atlanta where Norman would begin his career as a pilot with an upstart company named Delta Airlines. Josephine began taking flying lessons and then she found out she was pregnant with her first child. Josephine and Norman had a total of seven children over a span of 20 years. She was a dedicated mother, hand making dresses for her daughters, cooking and baking Lebanese food, for not only her family but any one who stepped through the doorway of her home. Josephine had tireless energy, volunteering as a scout leader, serving in the Catholic altar guild and in later years as a "Pink Lady" at South Fulton Hospital. Through the years she was very involved with The Cedar Club of Atlanta and The Southern Federation of Syrian and Lebanese American Club, to which she was elected Woman of the Year in 1986. In the 80's and 90's Josephine enjoyed being a volunteer for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, The Delta Golden Wings wives club and the Spalding Woods Garden Club. "Mama Jo", as she was affectionately called by her grandchildren and great grandchildren, was known for her fun and spontaneous sense of humor and many practical jokes. Her zest for life was contagious to all around her. Josephine was preceded in death by her husband Norman S. Topshe; her only son, Norman Jr.; brothers, Joe and Fred Joseph; sisters, Jumelia Helou, Marie Haraka, Marguerite David, and Juliette Bowman. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Nora Ernst; brother-in-law, David Bowman; six daughters and five son-in-laws, Sondra Coletti, Loretta and Robert Thornburg, Cheryl and Sherman Wade, Trina and Joe Kriss, Denise and Richard Mastry, Leisa and Jeff Davis; 15 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends Monday, September 12, 2011 from 5 to 7 o'clock with a prayer at 7 o'clock at H.M. Patterson and Son, Arlington Chapel, 173 Allen Rd, NE, Sandy Springs, GA 30328. A Funeral Mass will be Tuesday, September 13, 2011 at 11 o'clock at St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church with The Rev. James Fennessy as the Celebrant. Interment will follow at Arlington Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, PO Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101 or to Interim Healthcare Hospice.
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Memories and Condolences
for Josephine Topshe
Vic and Marie Sayour
September 17, 2011
We are so sorry for your loss. She was such a sweet woman and we admired the love and attention that you all gave to her. May God comfort you in your time of sorrow and may she rest in peace.
Love,
Nancy Rampell, M.D.
September 16, 2011
I am privileged to have observed the care and love of Josephine Topshe's daughters during these last few years as her health declined. You all have been extraordinary and should feel very proud of yourselves that she received the best quality of life there was to offer. I have seen nothing like it. God bless you all.
September 14, 2011
On behalf of our parents, Virginia and the late Jimmie Saliba, we send our deepest sympathy to the family of Josephine Topshe. "Aunt" Josephine and her family opened their home to our Dad while he attended Emory University, and for more than a half century she and Norman were dear friends of our family. It was always such a pleasure to see them. The last time that we all saw Josephine was when she honored our parents by attending their 50th wedding anniversary party in Wichita, Kansas. During the remarks part of the program, she had such kind words to say about Mother and Daddy and it meant a lot to them, as well as to all of us. Her sense of humor was contagious. We know that she will be sorely missed.
Olivia, Yvonne, and Michael Saliba
Wichita, Kansas and Arlington, Texas
DALE AND ELAINE LALONDE
September 14, 2011
Goodbye Josephine and also, Norman. Thank you for sharing not only your genuine love and laughter but your daughter Leisa with Michelle. We have missed you. Will see you on the otherside.
September 14, 2011
On behalf of our parents, Virginia and the late Jimmie Saliba, we send our deepest sympathy to the family of Josephine Topshe. "Aunt" Josephine and her family opened their home to our Daddy while he attended Emory University, and for more than a half century she and Norman were dear friends of our family. It was always such a pleasure to see them. The last time that we all saw Josephine was when she honored our parents by attending their 50th wedding anniversary party in Wichita, Kansas. During the remarks part of the program, she had such kind words to say about Mother and Daddy and it meant a lot to them, as well as to all of us. Her sense of humor was contagious. We know that she will be sorely missed.
Olivia, Yvonne, and Michael Saliba
Wichita, Kansas and Arlington, Texas
Jerry Crockett
September 13, 2011
Dear Family: It's always a dose of sadness to lose another friend like Josephine. My late wife, Mary and Ihad so many great times with her and Norm at DGW in particular. I will always be happy for those wonderful years. Norm was also one of the kindest gentlemen I ever knew.
Jerry Crockett,Ret. 1980
Linda Mainland (Clements)
September 13, 2011
Denise & Family,
Sorry to hear about your Mom. Heaven has another special angel to watch over all of you. God bless you.
Alan Price
September 13, 2011
Dear Family,
While I did not know Josephine, I knew Norm well and admired and revered his character and humor. I know how much he loved Josephine and his family. In attending his funeral, I learned much that I had not known of your wonderful affection for each other. Surely Josephine has gone to join Norm and continue the Topshe family tradition. Best regards and blessings, you will be in my thoughts and prayers.
God Bless,
Captain Alan Price (Retired)
Former Atlanta Chief Pilot Delta Air Lines
September 12, 2011
So very sad - Josephine was always so welcoming & kind to me when I moved to her neighborhood in the early '90s & I will not forget her & Norman's commitment to family & friends.
Terri Theisen
Sandy Springs
Camille Maurice
September 12, 2011
Dear Cheryl, Sondra, Loretta, Leisa, Trina and Denise,
We are with you in spirit and join the circle of love and sympathy that surrounds you as you celebrate your Mother's life. Love, Cam and John Maurice
Robin Siegel
September 12, 2011
I am so sorry for your loss. I knew Josephine from the Spalding Woods Garden Club and always enjoyed speaking with her at meetings. She was fun and a great cook too! I hope your fond memories of her help to comfort you at this sad time. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Rollin Jackson
September 12, 2011
To the many Family Survivors,
On behalf of the membership of Delta Golden Wings, Inc., a fraternal social group of Delta pilots, I send this sincere message of sympathy for a lady that meant very much to our fraternal group for many years, along with her late husband Norman.
Even though most of her pilot friends from the past have made their "final flight westward" (deceased), she will still be missed by a younger group that knew she and her husband as active, inspirational and giving in many ways to those among them. Josephine will be dearly missed by all her close friends but especially family.
May God's richest and abundant blessings be with each of her dear family members as they make their pathway forward, taking the memories of her and letting them inspire them to higher ground in all they do.
Captain Rollin A. Jackson, Jr. (Ret.)
B-767 International Captain
Secretary/Historian, Delta Golden Wings
Nancy Boston
September 12, 2011
Leisa and family,
What a lady your mother was! I am sorry I never knew her, but how fortunate you were to be raised by her. My love and sympathy to all.
Sharon Suggs
September 12, 2011
My dear sweet cousins, I will miss my Aunt Josephine so much more than words can ever say. I love her so much and will always remember her smiling face and all the laughter she brought to all that knew her. She'll remain forever alive in my heart and I will keep each one of you girls in prayer during this time. God bless you all and I'll be looking for that bright star in the sky because I know she's shining in heaven!
September 11, 2011
Loretta,
We're keeping you and your family
in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Charmaine & Jerry
Michele Topshe Carswell
September 11, 2011
Aunt Josephine was one of the most loving and kind people you would ever want to meet.
She will surely be missed.
Carol and Robert Maloof
September 11, 2011
What a lovely lady who raised a beautiful family! God bless you in the days ahead.
Jan Cooke Massey
September 11, 2011
Cheryl,Sondra, Loretta,Denise, Trina and Leisa, I am very saddened to hear of your loss of your precious Mother. You have always been so special to me. Be comforted that she is with your Dad now and they are both whole,well and so very proud of their girls. My deep love and prayers for you and your families.
September 11, 2011
I am saddened to learn of Josephine's passing. I will always remember her smile and laughter. She and my mother were such good friends for a long time and I have fond memories of them both. My condolences and prayers go out to all of you during this sad time. Over the years, I have thought many times of you all and it is the memories that keep us all together. Stay strong and God Bless you all!
Maryann Miller Askew
Cynthia Mackool Zanaty
September 11, 2011
Sondra, Cheryl, Loretta, Denise, Trina and Leisa, I have such fond memories with Aunt Josephine and all of you, my other sisters! I celebrate with you her wonderful and long life and the joy she brought to so many of us and I grieve with you on her passing. I love you all!
Cynthia
September 10, 2011
It's nice to know that my Dad and Mom (Ray and Meta) are just across the street in interment at Arlington Memorial Park, as they were when my family grew up in East Point. God Bless.
John & Cheryl Bunnell
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H.M. Patterson & Son-Arlington Chapel173 Allen Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30328
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