Josette Matelic

Josette Carol (Rocco) Matelic entered the gates of heaven on April 17, 2021 with her beloved family by her side. 

Josette was born in southwest Detroit on July 10, 1942 to Guy and Leila (Bagozzi) Rocco.  She graduated from All Saints High School, Class of 1960.  There she was an outstanding student athlete.  After high school she worked in the medical records department of a local hospital and planned on becoming a nurse.   However,  her plans changed when Josette met the love of her life, Thomas J. Matelic.  Josette and Tom celebrated 59 years of marriage on March 3 with their annual dance to Kenny Rogers “Through the Years”. 

Josette was an involved mom to her three children raised in Dearborn, Michigan.  She volunteered for all her childrens' activities and spent her spare time with Tom watching their childrens' sporting events, dance recitals, attending St. Alphonsus church, and enjoying family dinners with their siblings, parents, nieces and nephews.  In between, Josette loved to crochet and taught classes for a local yarn shop.  Her creations are cherished heirlooms. 

In 1998 Josette and Tom built their dream home in Tawas, Michigan on Floyd Lake, where they hosted numerous family parties.  Josette especially loved celebrating the Fourth of July with huge fireworks displays surrounded by family and friends.  She loved exercise, daily aerobics, walks around the lake and playing solitaire.  She was an amazing speller which related to her success with crossword puzzles.  Josette and Tom loved to travel and were able to travel all over the U.S. in their RV.  They also enjoyed camping with friends and trips to casinos.  Josette was an avid baker and her Christmas kiffles were a sought after treasure.  Her favorite vices were trips to the beauty salon, chocolate milkshakes, and slot machines. But most importantly, Josette enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren.   Josette was a devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend.  She will be remembered for her big smile, beautiful skin, brown eyes, boisterous laugh, ever-so stubborn personality, and sweet soul. 

Josette is preceded in death by her parents.  Surviving in addition to her husband Tom are her daughter Sherry Dmytro and her husband John; her son Thomas and his wife Cynthia; her son Christopher and his wife KD; seven grandchildren Jacob, Justin, Zachary, Samantha Barthels (Matthew), Anthony, Elizabeth, and Lucas; sisters Enille Everett and Kathleen Valle (Dino); many nieces and nephews.

Josette was committed to her catholic faith and loved leading prayers at family meals and attending mass at St. Pius Catholic Church in Hale.  A memorial mass will be held in her honor on April 28, 2021 at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church in New Boston, Michigan beginning at 10:30 am. A Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held on Josette’s 79th Birthday at her home in National City, Michigan on July 10, 2021.

The family of Josette wishes to send our deepest gratitude to the staff at Green Acres Memory Care Unit in Lowell, Michigan for their care and compassion during Josette’s final days.  We would also like to thank the nurses, staff, and Sister Faustina from Emmanuel Hospice for their prayers, blessings, and support they provided to usher Josette into heaven.  

In lieu of flowers the family requests charitable donations be sent in Josette’s name to Emmanuel Hospice  (emmanuelhospice.org) and the Alzheimer’s Association ( alz.org).  

"Thanks for the Memories"

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