Josephine Emily (Leiterman) Toomey was a radiant soul whose warmth, kindness, and joyful spirit touched everyone blessed to know her. Often described by friends and family as the sweetest person they knew, Jo modeled her life after her favorite saint, Teresa of Avila, embodying humility, love, prayer, and joyful faith in God. She had a huge heart, always helping anyone wherever she could, in the best way she could. Jo was completely selfless, placing the needs and happiness of her loved ones above her own, her children described her as the best mother anyone could ever wish for. She lived a life filled with purpose, devotion, and an abundance of love that she freely shared with family, friends, and her community.

Born in Los Angeles, California, Jo attended St. Lawrence of Brindisi Catholic Elementary School and graduated from Bishop Conaty Catholic Girls' High School in 1950. Her professional journey began immediately after graduation when she worked as a telephone operator for Pacific Telephone and Telegraph for five years. She then launched her career as a professional secretary, first in the Right-of-Way Department researching easements, then transferring to the Engineering Department in Compton, where she typed job specifications for approximately 25 civil engineers.

In 1955, Jo moved to Sacramento and began working for the State Department of Natural Resources. She quickly advanced from the secretarial pool to become secretary to the Conservation Education Supervisor, and later transferred to the Governor's Staff, serving under Ronald Reagan. It was while working as secretary to the Director of the Delta Recreation Study that she met William A. Toomey. They married on August 19, 1967, in Sacramento. After sixteen years of dedicated work, Jo was able to stay home and start a family, which she always said was the most rewarding time of her life. She cherished her time with William's children from his previous marriage, Bill and Alicia, during their visits.

Following her divorce in August 1974, Jo became a single parent to Stephanie, age five, and Greg, age four. With extraordinary strength and dedication, she often worked multiple jobs at a time to ensure her children always had a safe place to live and food on their table. She moved with her children to Huntington Beach, California, where she took a position as secretary at a Montessori school, loving every moment of working there and helping with the children's activities.

In May 1980, seeking to be closer to her beloved sister Marie, Jo and her children moved to Boise, Idaho, where she would spend the rest of her life. She began working for the State Fish & Game Department in the Wildlife Bureau, providing secretarial support for eight wildlife biologists. In 1984, she transferred to the Bureau of Information and Education, where she was quickly promoted to Senior Secretary. One of the greatest joys of her career was visiting area schools with her supervisor to educate children about wildlife, bringing baby bear cubs, young bald eagles, peregrine falcons, mountain lions, and other animals, creating unforgettable experiences for countless children.

In July 1994, Jo retired from work to provide daycare for her first granddaughter, Marnie, and three years later for Marnie's little brother, David. This time allowed her to relive the happy days when her own children were young, and she treasured every precious moment.

Music was the heartbeat of Jo's life. A gifted pianist from toddlerhood, she played well in her mid-eighties and generously shared her talent by giving piano lessons after retirement. Her music was a gift to her church community. When she first moved to Boise, she and her daughter Stephanie sang in the choir at St. John's Cathedral, where Jo played the magnificent pipe organ for Sunday Mass for several years. Later, as a devoted member of St. Mary's Parish, she served as pianist and organist every Sunday, volunteered to help the Religious Education Director prepare materials for children's classes, belonged to a Small Faith Community, and spent a weekly holy hour in St. Mark's Perpetual Adoration Chapel. A lifetime member of the Third Order of St. Francis, Jo's deep Catholic faith brought her immense fulfillment and guided her throughout her life.

Jo's gentle spirit expressed itself in peaceful pursuits: tending her beloved flower garden, especially her roses; sewing clothes for her children; cross-stitching and knitting; and bird watching, delighting in feeding the birds and identifying species in her well-worn bird book. She loved and appreciated the simple beauty of God's miraculous creation. 

Travel brought Jo great happiness. She cherished road trips along the Oregon Coast with her sister, a Mississippi Riverboat Cruise with Marie and their mother Ethel, visits to Ottawa, Canada, to see her daughter Stephanie's family, a trip to Buffalo, New York, to explore her father's roots, a journey to Hawaii with family, and accompanying her daughter on a business trip to Charleston, South Carolina. She loved the ocean deeply and had a special affection for lighthouses. A trip to Quebec with her sister and mother to research family genealogy sparked a passion she shared with her favorite Aunt Dorothy and later passing it on to the younger generation in the family. Camping adventures with loved ones in the mountains of Southern California created wonderful memories she held so dear.

As the oldest of four children, Jo helped raise her siblings and remained deeply close to them throughout her life. Her priority was always family, and time spent with the children in her family brought her profound joy.
Jo's heritage was a rich tapestry: her mother, Ethel M. Leiterman, was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, to a French-Canadian mother from Quebec and a father of Irish descent from Virginia. Her father, Frank J. Leiterman, was born in Buffalo, New York, to parents who had immigrated from Germany.

Jo was preceded in death by her parents, Ethel and Frank Leiterman; her former husband, William A. Toomey (January 29, 1928 – June 4, 2003); her brothers, Carl Leiterman and Richard Leiterman; Richard's wife, Darlene; and her nephew, Michael Furniss.

She is survived by her beloved children: daughter, Stephanie Toomey-Fields (husband, Kurt) of Cumberland, Kentucky, and son, Gregory Toomey of Boise, Idaho; her cherished grandchildren: Marnie Nichole of Boise, David Raper (girlfriend, Rachel) of Boise, Michael Toomey (wife, Ashley) of Boise, Tori Jo Toomey of Boise, Steven Toomey (fiancée, Saige) of Boise, and Samantha Schmitz (husband, Isaiah) of Boise; her adored great-grandchildren: Rohan, Leif, Kayden, Annabella, and Tobias; her dear sister, Marie Endecott (husband, Steve) of Mesa, Arizona; twelve nephews and one niece; a sister in-law, Lucy Leiterman and countless friends whose lives she touched with her gentle, loving spirit.

Josephine Toomey was a blessing to all who knew her, a woman of profound faith, a devoted mother and grandmother, a talented musician, and a true ray of sunshine. Her legacy is one of selfless love, unwavering devotion, and the countless lives she brightened with her generous heart. She will be deeply missed and forever cherished.

 

 

Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, January 9th, 2026, 1:00 PM at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Boise, Idaho.

Interment and Graveside Service will be on Monday, January 12th, 2026, at the Dry Creek Cemetery in Boise, Idaho at 1 P.M.

Services provided there by Accent Funeral Home, Meridian, Idaho

The family wishes to extend a very special thank you to Stephanie Vanover at Cumberland Valley Funeral Home in Cumberland, Kentucky, for all her help during this time.

 

Cumberland Valley Funeral Home is Honored to assist the Family of Josephine Toomey.