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BORN
1918
DIED
2020
Josie Willett Obituary
Santa Paula - On Friday, November 13, 2020, Josie Willett passed away peacefully in her home at the age of 102.
Josie was born on October 3, 1918 in Ventura, CA to Catalina Boronda Sattler, who was born at the J.J. Boronda Ranch home, which was located where the entrance to Lake Casitas is now, and Ernest G. Sattler, who was a realtor, butcher and fisherman. Her great-grandfather Don Jose Manuel Boronda came from Spain and had been awarded a Spanish land grant in the Salinas Valley where the Boronda Adobe remains to this day. Josie met the love of her life, Jack Willett, at a western party and they married on June 20, 1948. Josie and Jack raised their daughter Joanne and son Jeff on the Willett Wheeler Canyon Ranch in Santa Paula, a ranch that Jack's family homesteaded back in 1904. They had three grandchildren, Craig Root, Brad Root and Jeffrey Willett and spent 50 years together before Jack passed away in 1998. Josie and her daughter Joanne tended to the Willett Ranch following Jack's passing and carried on the family's Jheart brand on their cattle.
Josie was a remarkable woman with a passion for hard work, horseback riding, cooking, western attire, and had a knack for storytelling and socializing with her many friends and neighbors. Soon after marrying Jack, Josie left her job at a local hospital and began raising calves on the Willett family ranch. She later purchased and ran a feed store in Ojai (Willett Feed Barn) for 9 years while hauling cattle and horses to Sale Barns and hauling mules for the Forest Service. Josie returned to working at a hospital in Ojai and retired 10 years later to the ranch. She then started a horse boarding business caring for up to 55 horses on the ranch, all the while enjoying her cowgirl life. She was known for her quick wit, cowboy boots and sweet personality and gave credit to a daily shot of Jack Daniels as the secret to the long, healthy life she lived!
Josie is survived by her daughter Joanne Willett, grandsons Craig Root and Jeffrey Willett, and great granddaughter Jesse Root. She was preceded in death by husband Jack, son Jeffrey, and grandson Brad. Josie requested no funeral services be held and the family requests donations in Josie's honor be made to the Search Dog Foundation in Santa Paula in lieu of flowers.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Josie Willett
3 Entries
Dione
December 3, 2020
My brother and I were so sad to hear about Mrs. Willet’s passing. We always looked forward to going to her feed store. She would always greet us with a warm smile...and was dressed to the nines with her pretty western shirts and jewelry. What a life well lived. Blessings to your family. Dione (Lopez) Rubio and Danny Lopez Jr.
Terry Smith
November 29, 2020
I am so deeply sad to hear that one of our iconic cowgirls has passed. She lived a long and wonderful life. Josie seemed to never age and looked great up to her final days, and at 102, that's a legend in itself!
She will be greatly missed but will remain forever in our hearts and memories as the one and only Josie Willett. Ride on Ms. Josie, ride on......
Ann (Jorgensen) Gannon
November 28, 2020
Joanne,
I remember so well the summer I spent at the Willett Ranch in Wheeler Canyon, the summer before I went into the seventh grade. That was about in 1954. Best summer of my life! We all, I think six of us, had the name "Ann" in our names, even Alan. Great memories!
So sorry to read your mom had passed.
I loved her dearly! Beautiful lady inside and out.
My love to all
Ann (Jorgensen) Gannon
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