Josephine Trujillo, longtime resident of Redwood City, California passed away September 28th, 2023, at the age of 95, surrounded by her family. She leaves behind a legacy as a devoted wife, mother, proud grandmother, aunt, godmother, and cherished friend to many.
Josephine was the second of 11children born to Tomas and Enedina Herrera. Josephine was born in Westminster Ca on August 28, 1928. From a young age Josie worked with her parents picking in the fields and following the seasonal crops of California. Each summer the Herrera family would travel from Westminster up the coast to Santa Clara Valley following the crops. In or about 1945, Josie and her family moved to Mountain View California. Josie began work at S & W Cannery in Redwood City from 1945 to 1980. Josie married her husband Ben Trujillo in 1958. They were married until Ben's passing in 2017.
Josie leaves behind daughters Theresa Lopez, Isabel Trujillo, Gloria Gandolfo, son in law Gary Gandolfo, Linda Kjelstrom, son in law Kris, and 3 grandchildren Tonatiuh, Vincent, Raquel, and her fur- grandbaby Jax. She also leaves behind sisters Mary Cortez, Annie Cortez, Lupe Chagoya, and brothers Joe Herrera and Vincent Herrera. She was preceded in death by her siblings Reymunda, Louie, Tommy, Jimmy, Lalo. Josie leaves behind many nephews, nieces, and God children.
In her retirement Josie babysat several children that became her extended grandchildren. She found so much joy caring for others.
Josie grew up in Westminster CA and each year looked forward to an annual neighborhood reunion with family and friends. Josie loved celebrating her birthdays with big parties of family, friends and good food. Every year on her birthday she would keep a list of who called her and in what order. There was always a battle to be #1 on her list, her sister Reymunda came in first many times. She loved watching the SF Giants and was sad to see her favorite player, Buster Posey, retire. Josie had a love for birds. Her brother Joe built her an Avery so she could enjoy many birds. Every morning she looked forward to feeding and talking to her birds. Josie also enjoyed playing seek- a- word books, watching Family Feud, and going through her phone book calling everyone to see how they were doing.
Josie (mama, Aunt Josie, Chepa) was the enchilada maker of the family. We will all miss her very much and those wonderful Enchiladas.