Josephine Afferica Parsons
– June 1, 2014
Josephine Afferica Parsons
Josephine Afferica Parsons of Sun City Center, Fla., died June 1, 2014, at the age of 103 after a short illness. She was a woman of great spirit: a pilot for the Civil Air Patrol during World War II, president of the local school board while her sons were in school, and an avid artist in retirement.
She was quick-witted and well-read, surrounding herself with books on physics and art. She was also opinionated and somewhat imperious, having great disdain for ill-fitting clothing and misused objective case pronouns. At her birthday celebrations, which became increasingly extravagant after she reached the age of 95, she would stand at the head of the table and regale her guests with the various excellent habits and personal attributes that contributed to her longevity: on occasion, it was the satisfaction of having raised three fine sons; another year, it was because she ate oatmeal every morning.
Mrs. Parsons was born in Providence, R.I., and spent most of her formative years in New Jersey. She graduated from Drake College in 1931 and continued her education at NYU, where she met Frederick G Parsons Jr., who was then an Army Air Corps flight instructor. They were married on July 18, 1943. After raising their sons, the Parsons retired to Sun City Center.
Mrs. Parsons is survived by her sons Rick and Bob; three beautiful granddaughters, Mekea Johnson, Ashley Cowen, and Amanda Parsons; five rambunctious great-grandchildren, Olivia and Audrey Johnson, and Kyra, Carter and Cooper Cowen; and her extended family Jay and Maureen Brickley. She was preceded in death by her husband and her beloved youngest son John.
In remembrance of her long and vibrant life, a funeral Mass will be celebrated on July 10, 2014 at 11 a.m. at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 702 Valley Forge Blvd., Sun City Center. Mass will be followed by a luncheon for family, friends and caretakers. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Mrs. Parsons’ favorite cause: the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, 909 N. Washington St., Suite 400, Alexandria, VA 22314 (at www.mcsf.org). Arrangements by Sun City Center Funeral Home.
In Loving Memory of
Josephine Afferica Parsons of Sun City Center, Fla., died June 1, 2014, at the age of 103 after a short illness. She was a woman of great spirit: a pilot for the Civil Air Patrol during World War II, president of the local school board while her sons were in school, and an avid artist in retirement.
She was quick-witted and well-read, surrounding herself with books on physics and art. She was also opinionated and somewhat imperious, having great disdain for ill-fitting clothing and misused objective case pronouns. At her birthday celebrations, which became increasingly extravagant after she reached the age of 95, she would stand at the head of the table and regale her guests with the various excellent habits and personal attributes that contributed to her longevity: on occasion, it was the satisfaction of having raised three fine sons; another year, it was because she ate oatmeal every morning.
Mrs. Parsons was born in Providence, R.I., and spent most of her formative years in New Jersey. She graduated from Drake College in 1931 and continued her education at NYU, where she met Frederick G Parsons Jr., who was then an Army Air Corps flight instructor. They were married on July 18, 1943. After raising their sons, the Parsons retired to Sun City Center.
Mrs. Parsons is survived by her sons Rick and Bob; three beautiful granddaughters, Mekea Johnson, Ashley Cowen, and Amanda Parsons; five rambunctious great-grandchildren, Olivia and Audrey Johnson, and Kyra, Carter and Cooper Cowen; and her extended family Jay and Maureen Brickley. She was preceded in death by her husband and her beloved youngest son John.
In remembrance of her long and vibrant life, a funeral Mass will be celebrated on July 10, 2014 at 11 a.m. at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 702 Valley Forge Blvd., Sun City Center. Mass will be followed by a luncheon for family, friends and caretakers. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Mrs. Parsons’ favorite cause: the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, 909 N. Washington St., Suite 400, Alexandria, VA 22314 (at www.mcsf.org). Arrangements by Sun City Center Funeral Home.
In Loving Memory of