Josephine Melsby passed away October 7th, 2013. She is now dancing in the Lord’s ballroom with her husband Melvin whom she was married to for over 63 years before his passing in February 2009.
Josephine was born in Sumas, Washington on March 21st, 1927 to Helmer (Pat) Swanson and Inga (Brandstad) Swanson. She was raised on a dairy farm in the Nooksack Valley and attended the Nooksack Schools.
In 1940 the family moved to Mount Vernon, Washington on Bayview hill where they also had a dairy farm. Josephine graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 1945.
She met her husband Melvin at the old Big Lake dance hall and they were married September 8th, 1945.
After marriage Josephine worked in her father’s berry fields. She also worked at the local canneries and the Mount Vernon Montgomery Wards catalog store. In 1962 they moved to Sedro-Woolley and in 1971 they moved to Cosmopolis, WA., where Josephine worked as a dental receptionist for Dr. Meyers until his retirement. When Josephine’s husband Melvin retired they returned to the Skagit Valley in 1987, finally settling in Sedro-Woolley in 1989. In Sedro Woolley they volunteered for Meals on Wheels and the Sedro-Woolley food bank.
Her hobbies included gardening, blackberry picking and baking. The family enjoyed camping thus visiting many National and State Parks.
Josephine is survived by two sons Donald Melsby and his wife Thyrza of Sedro Woolley, WA. and Gary Melsby and his wife Perla of Edmond, OK.; four grandchildren Gregory Melsby of Edmond, OK., Chris Allen and his wife Jeannie of Mount Lake Terrace, WA., Debbie Melsby of Anacortes, WA. and Michael Melsby and his wife Paula of Sedro Woolley, WA.; two great-grandchildren Nathan Maylor of Sedro Woolley, WA., and Paige Allen of Mount Lake Terrace, WA.; one sister Helen Miller of Mt. Vernon, WA.; one brother-in-law Earl Melsby and his wife Pauline of Sebring, FL.; one sister-in-law Gloria Swanson of Forks, WA. and numerous nieces and nephews.
Josephine was preceded in death by her parents Pat & Inga Swanson, sisters Emma Wilson and Louise Gagnon and brother Clyde Swanson.
At her request there will be no services. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Lemley Chapel. Memorials are suggested to Hospice of the Northwest, Bradford House, the Alzheimer’s Association, or a charity of your choice.
