Josephine Wells

MENANDS – Josephine K. (Gregorewski) Wells passed peacefully from this life on Tuesday, July 4, 2023 at the age of 99 years.

Josephine, one of eight children of the late Francis and Viola (Tarnowski) Gregorewski, was born in Albany on April 3, 1924. Raised in Menands, Josephine received her primary education there and later resided in North Albany where she raised her family. For the past fifty years she had resided in Menands. Josephine, like many others of her generation, entered the workforce before completing high school and was employed by the former Topp’s Department Store for many years. She returned to school in her mid-forties and earned her high school diploma, a milestone that both she and her family were extremely proud of. Soon after, she worked as a bank teller for National Commercial Bank & Trust Company which later became KeyBank. Her last employment, as a part-time payroll clerk, was for Lakeshore Apartments from where she retired.

Josephine had shown incredible dedication and commitment as a member of the Menands Senior Club. After attending an exercise class at Senior Services of Albany, she decided to bring the idea back to her Menands Club, engaging the members in their very own health and wellness program, for which she was the recipient of the 2016 Marion T. Lamar Health & Wellness Award. She also received the Colonie Senior Volunteer Star for Menands Club in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2015. In 2007 she received the “Woman who has said yes to God” an award presented by the Albany Diocesan Women’s Commission and in 2011 the Lifetime Achievement Award for community service of the Capital District Senior Issues Forum.

The goodness in which she lived her life, the kindness and generosity she freely gave to her family and friends are her life’s rewards and blessings. Josephine strongly believed that her faith had been her rock and had gotten her through many of life’s ups and downs.

Josephine was a communicant of St. Joan of Arc Church in Menands and was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Watervliet-Colonie Lodge of Elks. She will lovingly be remembered for her crocheting talent with which she created many beautiful items for her family and friends. In her younger years she enjoyed bowling, square dancing and camping.

Josephine was the loving wife for 57 years of the late Eugene S. Wells who passed away in 1999; devoted mother of JoAnn (Edward) Donohue of Voorheeseville, Jean (late Dennis) Brunelle of Saratoga Springs, Alice (Roland) Gies of Litchfield, NH and Donald (Karen) Wells of Latham; cherished grandmother of Edward (Kimberly) Donohue, Jr., , Thomas (Kara) Donohue, Carey (Michael) Lawson, Kelly (Thomas) O’Rourke, Lisa (Randy) Hunter, Michael Brunelle, Brian (Katie) Gies, Adam Gies, Amanda and Kelsey Wells. Josephine is further survived by 15 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

The funeral for Josephine will be held on Monday, July 10, 2023 at 8 am from the Cummings Funeral Home, 643 Third Avenue, Watervliet and at 9 am in St. Joan of Arc Church, Menands where the funeral Mass will be celebrated by the Reverend Edward Kacerguis. The Rite of Committal and interment will be held in Memory Gardens, Colonie. Friends are invited to attend and may also visit with Josephine’s family on SUNDAY, July 9, 2023 from 3 pm until 6 pm at the funeral home.

For those who wish to remember Josephine in a special way, memorial donations may be made to Schuyler Ridge Residential Healthcare, 1 Abele Blvd, Clifton Park, NY 12065.