Josephine Ann Powell

1936 - 2021

October 11, 1936 - July 14, 2021 Josephine Ann Powell, age 84, was born on October 11, 1936, in Detroit Michigan to her loving parents Joseph Pawulski aka Powell, and Anna Bezpalko aka Soja. She was the sister to 3 brothers Edward, Roger, and Joseph. Her family moved to Southern California in 1948 when she was age 13. Josie attended Hollywood HS with graduation from the Class of 1954. Her young life aspiration was becoming a professional dancer and dance instructor with Arthur Murray Hollywood. That early life lead her into the whole world of entertainment, as a dancer, singer, and band member, whether it was Hollywood, Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe/Reno, or in the east coast. She became enamored with the world of Salsa/Mambo/Latino music emanating from the various venues in the Caribbean, NYC, and elsewhere. All of that created endless participation in the whole world of dance and entertainment, whether recordings, composing, choreographing, singing, TV, and movies. Over time she came a proficient master of ceremonies for any number of events. In mid life Josie became a realtor located out of Beverly Hills where she achieved great success and notice with her talents in marketing, interior designs, and financing. All of that lead to her interest in becoming an Apartment Building Owner in West Hollywood for over 50 years. Josie happily accepted opportunities to travel with the USO to Vietnam and Southeast Asia to meet, perform, and entertain the USA troops during the Vietnam War Era. Josie became a music historian and consultant as to the world of dance, Salsa, Rock&Roll, Latin Jazz, and Pop. She traveled several times to Cuba to engage in musical research and study. Josie was greatly inspired and influenced with her long term friendship and association with composer and orchestra leader Tito Puente, which subsequently lead to her authoring and publishing a biography book of: Tito Puente: When The Drums Are Dreaming". Josie was a long time music/Hollywood historian contributor broadcasting her expertise at local LA radio stations. In later life, Josie became an avid researcher and reader as to the USA history circa WW2 and thereafter. Josie was always curious and inquisitive to keep learning well into her senior years. Josephine left behind her two brothers, Roger and Joseph, nephews John, Joseph James, Alexander, and nieces Carol, Jane, and her extended family relatives throughout the LA Metro area, the USA, Canada, and Poland. Josie will be always fondly remembered for her very lively gifted music talents, vivacious personality, and loving interest in the lives of so many people far to numerous to mention. Funeral arrangements are with Hollywood Forever Mortuary at 6000 W. Santa Monica Bl, Hollywood, with holy funeral mass at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in West Hollywood, with subsequent interment at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City CA.Josie arrived into the merciful hands of Jesus Christ with all of her passion for dance, music, and entertainment which will be everlasting celebration in heaven. In lieu of flowers/gifts, loving memory contributions would be appreciated to Catholic Charities of Los Angeles, 1531 James M. Wood Bl, PO BOX 15095, Los Angeles, CA. 90015 213-251-3400.