It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Josephine Jean Ratusny of Midhurst, on the evening of December 11, 2024, at the age of 81 years. Josey was surrounded by her family in her last moments as she succumbed to pancreatic cancer, after overcoming breast cancer in 2023.
The family would like to especially thank all of the incredible and caring medical professionals and caregivers who surrounded Josey these last two years. The love and support given by each member of her care team will not be forgotten.
Josey was the heart and foundation of the family. She will lovingly be remembered by her surviving spouse of 59 years, Dcn. John Ratusny. Loving and devoted mother to Dorothy (Ryan), John Thomas (Christina) and Catherine (Troy). Proud baba to Richard, Maxine, Christophe, Joshua, and Sebastian. Cherished sister-in-law to Arleen (Malcolm), sister to Ted (Darlene) and nephews Steven (Rachel) and Sean (Shannon). Josey was adored by her cousins, especially Dorothy Vitelli (née Urbanski), Gladys Neely (née Zomchek), and numerous relatives and friends and she kept in contact over the years through visits, phone calls, and her many thoughtful cards & letters. She will be dearly missed by all.
Born in Toronto and raised in Winnipeg, Josey met her future husband on a summer trip to visit her Auntie Anne Urbanski (née Bylyna) in Toronto. Josey was asked to be the godmother of their youngest daughter Dorothy. Her aunt introduced Josey to John (the godfather they had chosen), who was also a cousin from her husband’s side of the family. The two dated for the summer and continued correspondence through many letters over the next few years. John spent his summers in Winnipeg to be close to Josey. He proposed to her in Assiniboine Park in Winnipeg.
Josey began her career as a secretary and stenographer working for an automotive dealership in Winnipeg. After her marriage to John in 1965, she worked as an office secretary for an exporting company in Chicago, supporting them both while John completed his university education. The mid-sixties brought the couple to Red Lake in northern Ontario. Josey found employment as a case worker for Children's Aid Services and John pursued a career in teaching. It is here where they had their first child.
They moved to Dryden shortly after, and Josey's calling as a mom and full-time family CEO kept her incredibly busy. Now with three children, she devoted herself to endless duties for her childrens’ care and education. The family moved to Barrie in 1985, and eventually settled in Midhurst. The family became active in St. Mary's Parish and later Holy Cross (formerly St. Olga’s) Ukrainian Catholic Church. Josey shared her gift of music by singing in both choirs for decades.
Josey was a voracious learner, artist, and creative, always aspiring to improve herself. She enjoyed attending classes in drawing, painting, sketching, weaving, and pottery at Georgian College as well as taking the initiative to learn computers in community business college. Josey overcame her fear of water by learning how to swim in her 40s. She pursued her love of music by taking piano lessons in her 60s. Creating geometric abstract art and writing stories became a focus for Josey in her 70s and 80s as a therapeutic activity and legacy for her family. Writing was both a passion and a beautiful means of self-expression and connection to others. She wanted to share her life story with those she loved. As a writer, Josey has written thousands of notes, verses, meditations, journal entries, letters of encouragement and personal greetings to loved ones, family, and parishioners over the years.
Overcoming back pain and injuries throughout most of her life she was resilient by focusing on God's goodness and the joy of life. Josey lived a deep and profound spiritual life and found great peace in her relationship with God. Her husband and children were at the center of her life and received her devotion. She was always thoughtful and caring of others and available to listen or give a hug or encouraging words when needed. Josey was incredibly kind, quick to forgive, light-hearted, and had a gorgeous sense of humour.
The suddenness of her passing has left a deep void in the family and she will be terribly missed.
We love you so much. You are forever in our hearts.
Visitation will be held from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm with Panakhyda (prayer service) at 7:30 pm on January 19 at Steckley-Gooderham Funeral Home, 30 Worsley St., Barrie. The Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 am on Monday January 20th at St. Mary’s Catholic Parish, 65 Amelia St., Barrie. Interment will immediately follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, 208 Sunnidale Rd., Barrie. Guests are invited to remain for the reception at St. Mary’s Parish Hall. Should guests not wish to attend the cemetery interment, please make your way to the Parish Hall and the family will join once the interment is complete.
Online memories and condolences may be shared via www.steckleygooderham.com
Memorial Donations may be made in Josephine Ratusny’s name to Gilda’s Club Simcoe Muskoka,10 Quarry Ridge Rd, Barrie; https://gildasclubsimcoemuskoka.org/ways-to-give/donate/#donate
or to Hudson Regional Cancer Care, Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre; https://www.rvhkeeplifewild.ca/donate-today/