Josephine M. Alvarado Smith

Josephine M. Smith, 85, of Oregon, Ohio passed away on August 5th, 2025 at Hospice of NWO after a brief illness. The daughter of Felipe and Serafina (Herrera) Alvarado, she was born in Toledo, Ohio on March 20, 1940.She married the love of her life Delbert J. Smith on June 10, 1961.
Josie was a graduate of St. Ursula High School and after graduation worked at L and E International until the birth of her first child (Christine). Josie was a devoted homemaker and mother to two more children (Daniel and Matthew). Later in life she returned to the workforce as an Import/Export Specialist including TransWorld Shipping, Champion Sparkplug, and Libbey Glass where she retired in 2002.
Above all, Josie valued her family and her deep faith in God. She was a lifetime member of St. Thomas Aquinas Church (Epiphany of the Lord). Over the years, she was involved in the Kitchen Band, Altar and Rosary Society, she was a Eucharistic Minister, festival booth chair, and was involved in many other parish activities over the years. Many of her friendships were the result of her church involvement. She was the type of person who would go out of her way to help someone else in need; a trait that she passed on to her children.
Josie loved to travel with her husband and cruising was her favorite way to see parts of our vast world. As a couple, Del and Josie visited various islands in the Caribbean, Alaska, and Hawaii. After her and Del's retirement, they began spending winters in Bonita Springs Florida with an extended group of St. Thomas parishioners, where they developed many lasting friendships.
Josie was an amazing cook and enjoyed hosting holidays. No one ever left her house hungry. For many years, their home was the "New Years Eve hang-out" for friends. Her family always looked forward to her chicken mole' at Thanksgiving and decorating cookies at Christmas. Her culinary skills were not limited to Mexican food as one would have thought. She mastered chicken paprikash, lasagna, and many other ethnic dishes but her specialty was pie crust resulting in the most amazing pies.
Josie is survived by her beloved husband of 64 years Delbert, daughter Christine (Daniel) Miller and Matthew (Karey) Smith. Grandchildren Dustin (Emily) Miller, Chelsea (Ean) Garrett, Nathan and Noah Smith. Great Grandchildren Addison, Dex and Juniper Miller. Also surviving is her brother David Alvarado. She is preceded in death by her son Daniel, her parents and seven siblings.
Visitation will be on Sunday August 10, 2025, at Eggleston Meinert & Pavley Funeral Home, Oregon Chapel, 440 S. Coy Road, Oregon, Ohio from 12:00pm to 7:00pm with Scripture at 6:00pm. Mass of Chistian Burial Monday, August 11, 2025, at 11:00 am in St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 729 White Street, Toledo, with additional visitation beginning at 10:00 am. The family will be hosting a luncheon after mass. Graveside services will be private. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to St. Thomas Aquinas Church/Epiphany of the Lord or Hospice of NWO.