JOSEPHINE SHULTZ

1920 - 2021

JOSEPHINE SHULTZ
Josephine West Shultz, age 100, died peacefully on July 29, 2021 at her home in Tesuque. She was an active and beloved member of the Santa Fe community.
Iva Josephine West was born on September 21, 1920, in Dunn, NC. She completed elementary and high school in Thomasville, NC, while living at Mills Home orphanage, and continued her education at Mars Hill College and Medical College of Virginia to become a Registered Nurse. In 1942, she entered the U.S. Army Nurse Corps with the 45th General Hospital, and served in North Africa and Italy during World War II. After the war, she enrolled at Vanderbilt University to complete her Bachelor's Degree in Nursing. From 1948 to 1952, she worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs at Navajo Medical Center in Fort Defiance, Arizona, as Surgical Supervisor nurse for the Navajo and Hopi people. A few months into this term, Dr. Philip Shultz arrived to be Chief of Surgery. Philip and Josephine married in 1951 and moved to New Mexico in 1952, first residing in Los Alamos before selecting a house in Tesuque that would be their permanent home from 1956 onward. They were devoted companions until Phil's death in 1999.
Josephine was a leader of the Women's Board of the Museum of New Mexico, and a congregant at First Presbyterian Church of Santa Fe. She became a renowned hostess at social gatherings, including those of Phil's membership in the Chili Club and Quien Sabe Club. She was a conscientious homemaker and mother to three children, Albert, Eric, and Fay; and helped out with many school groups and activities at Carlos Gilbert Elementary and Santa Fe Prep. She took delight in visits with her grandchildren, Peter, Martin, Katina, Vaughn, and Bonnie, and her great-grandchildren, Philip and Delaney. She is also survived by nephews, Charles West, Festus West, Dwight West Jr., and niece, Josephine O'Steen.
Although her activity diminished in her nineties, she continued to enjoy eating out, going to movies, and taking drives to familiar sights. The family is forever grateful to the kind and devoted caregivers who made it possible for her to remain at home surrounded by her rose gardens and hummingbirds, and to the hospice staff who eased her final days. Her grace and good cheer will be long remembered.
No services are planned. The family suggests that donations, in lieu of flowers or other gifts, be made to the Museum of New Mexico Foundation or the Santa Fe Animal Shelter.