Josephine Ellen Paulson

Josephine Ellen Nelson was born to Alfred Christian Nelson and Mary Catherine Corkery Nelson at home on March 9, 1927. She was the fourth of nine children. She graduated from Eatonville High School. During High School, Josephine would travel by bus on a winding road to her weekend job at the Gateway Inn at Mount Rainier. After High School, she went on to attend nurses training at St. Peter's Hospital in Olympia. Josephine married David Eugene Paulson of Everett, WA on May 10th, 1952. They made their first home in Seattle, then moved to Mountlake Terrace in 1961.
Josephine worked part time as a registered nurse but was all about her children and supporting their endeavors. In retirement, she became well-travelled across the U.S. plus several world destinations, highlighted by attending a Papal Mass in Rome. She was a frequent volunteer at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Mountlake Terrace and an enthusiastic participant in parish life.
Josephine was engaged in a multitude of events wherever she lived. She enjoyed BINGO, stayed up to speed with sports and current events, created crafts, honed her writing skills in writing class, and was a very accomplished pinochle player. As grandchildren and great grandchildren entered her life, Josephine worked lovingly to create an embroidered quilt in their honor.
While at the Gardens of Juanita Bay, she enjoyed walks around the property, easily identifiable when donning her red earmuffs. As she strolled, she checked for the heron on the rooftop, ducks by the pond, and would religiously shoo away the squirrels from the bird feeder.
For as long as she was able, Jo waived goodbye from her window until her departing visitor(s) were out of sight.
Josephine was proceeded in death by her husband David who passed in 2003 after 51 years of marriage, seven of her brothers and sisters, and granddaughter Rebecca Paxton (2009).
She is survived by her six children: Eugene "Chris" Christian (Kathy) of Manson, Steven Michael (Janice Culpepper) of Woodinville, Nancy Ellen Paxton of Tacoma, Mary Elizabeth Solberg (Dale) of Walla Walla, Jeffrey David (Debbie) of Edmonds, and Thomas Joseph of Lynnwood.
Josephine's grandchildren are Brooke Kvinsland and Brett Paulson, Amanda Worsfold and Deidre Paulson, Matthew Paxton, Erin Mulkey and Eric and Lindsey Solberg, Michael Paulson, their spouses, as well as six great grandchildren: Sigurd, Helle, Cassius, Linnea, Ruby, and Theo.
Funeral Information: October 1, 2021
St. Pius X Catholic Church
22301 58th AVE W, Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043
10:30 am Rosary and Mass
followed by interment at
Holyrood Cemetery, Shoreline
*Due to Covid Restrictions, a memorial celebration in Josephine's honor will be scheduled for a future date.
**Tributes and photos can be found/added at beckstributecenter.com
We are extremely grateful for the loving care Josephine received from The Gardens of Juanita Bay, Bethany at Silver Crest, and Bethany at Silver Lake where she passed.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Pius X Catholic Church