Josephine Dresser

JOSEPHINE DRESSER

Josephine Dresser, 100, of Genoa, Ohio, and formerly of Toledo, Ohio, died Monday, November 17, 2025, at the Genoa Retirement Village where she had resided for the past 3 years. She was born on November 4, 1925, in Kent, England, daughter of the late John Richard and Mary Ann (Moss) Barham. She held fond memories as a child of walking the English countryside with its winding lanes, woods, and fields, and delighted in exploring ancient castles and cathedrals. Educated in England's public schools and graduated from business college.

A World War II veteran of the British Army, Josephine proudly served in the Auxiliary Territorial Service from 1943 to 1946 in Carlisle and Manchester as a clerk-typist. After the war, Josephine emigrated to the United States, settling in Toledo. In 1958 she became a U.S. citizen and held dual citizenship in the United States and the United Kingdom. Josephine built a career as a legal secretary, law librarian, and word processor for Eastman & Smith, Attorneys, and later for Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, retiring in 1987. Beyond her professional life, she gave generously of her time, volunteering at Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Bay Park Community Hospital, and Sacred Heart Home (Little Sisters of the Poor).

A woman of many talents and interests, Josephine was an accomplished amateur photographer, earning recognition in several competitions. She enjoyed travel and visited the British Isles, Canada, New Zealand and Australia, where several of her great-grandchildren live. In 2011 she was honored to be invited to join a group of World War II veterans on one of the Honor Flights to Washington, D.C. to view the war memorials there, included as an ally of the American Forces. At home, Josephine found joy tending her flower garden and greatly appreciated music, especially classical and jazz. Her love of nature and the animal world brought her lasting fulfillment.

She is survived by her children, Lorraine Josephine Traexler and David Stuart (Tracy) Dresser; 7 grandchildren, Katie (Andrew Ogden) Dresser, Allie (Tyler Roberts) Dresser, Benjamin (Adalynn) Dresser, Sara (Nathan) Moore, Molly (Owen Segaard) Dresser, Julie Dickens, Lee Bridgeland; 9 great-grandchildren, Conor, Danielle, Jorden, Zoe, Ella, Myles, Augustus, Noah and Alouetta; 5 great- great -grandchildren, Arthur, Primrose, Louis, Immogen and Atlas. Josephine was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Edwin John Barham; a sister, Irene Mary Knowles; and her sons, Andrew John Dresser in 2016, Dale Patrick Walsh in 2020, and Neil Adrian Walsh in 2003.

There are no services planned and cremation will be under the direction of Crosser & Priesman Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Elmore-Genoa Chapel. Memorial contributions may be given to Humane Society of Ottawa County. The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the staff at the Genoa Retirement Village and Heartland Hospice for their gentle and compassionate care. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.crosserpriesman.com.