JoEllen Osborne

1956 - 2012

JoEllen Osborne passed peacefully in her home on July 16, 2012. She was born on November 9, 1956 at St. Ann's Hospital in Juneau to Orvald and Elsie Osborne and resided in Juneau throughout her life. JoEllen was a successful athlete, who attended and placed in the Alaskan Special Olympics. She earned several awards from REACH for excellent work ethic and in her twilight years was a skillful artist through REACH's Canvas Community Art Studio. JoEllen was a regular at Juneau community events and social get togethers through REACH's Assisted Living program.
JoEllen is survived by two Uncles: Thomas E Osborne of Juneau and George (Norma) Scharmacher of Folsom, California; Sisters, Gloria (George) Katzenberger of Troy, Ohio, Carol (Brice) Pearson of Dalton Gardens, Idaho, and brother, Bernie (Linnea) Osborne of Juneau; Nieces: Jennifer (Russell) Christensen of Juneau; Courtney Pearson of Idaho; and Bernadette Osborne of Juneau: Nephews: Peter (Sandi) Barclay of Anchorage; Jonathan Katzenberger of Ohio and many great nieces; nephews and cousins.
JoEllen is also survived by her housemates of 28 years – Glen and Joe. She was also blessed with and cared for by an incredible extended family of caregivers through REACH, some of whom were by her side for several years, including Lorraine Nycklemoe; Anita TudTud; Michael Louk; and Eileen Kotyk. Friends are invited to join JoEllen's family at Resurrection Lutheran Church for a memorial service scheduled for 2:00pm Saturday, August 11, 2012 with a reception to follow. In Lieu of ?owers or gifts, the family requests donations be directed to REACH's assisted living home or Canvas Art Programs at 213 3rd Street, Juneau, Alaska 99801.