Josette Fernande Lamphiere

And extraordinary really is the word for her life.

Our mom survived World War II. She lived through a time most of us only read about in history books, and those experiences helped shape the strong, fiercely independent woman she would always be. She faced challenges, change, loss, and so much life, yet she continued to move forward with strength and determination.

She came to the United States without speaking a word of English and, in true Josette fashion, decided she would learn. She applied herself with the same determination she brought to everything in life—and found perhaps the most entertaining English teachers possible: soap operas. She watched, she listened, she learned, and in the end, she spoke English better than most people born here.

Mom adopted the United States as her home, and she loved this country deeply. She was proud of the life she built here and was always genuinely surprised when someone told her she had an accent. As far as she was concerned, she spoke perfect English—and honestly, she probably did.

She was a beautiful woman, inside and out, and she loved beautiful things. She believed in presenting yourself well and never quite understood the idea of leaving the house without your hair done, your face made up, and your clothes stylish and tasteful. That simply was not how Josette did things. She had style, elegance, and a presence that was uniquely hers.

Mom shared 52 years of marriage with our dad, Richard Earnest Lamphiere. Together, they traveled the world and built a beautiful life and family. They raised three children—or six, if you count our spouses, whom she always regarded as her children, too—and were blessed with eight grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. Each one is a part of the life and legacy they created together.

Our mom was strong. She was independent. She was determined. And anyone who knew her knew she had her own way of doing things. She could charm just about anyone into giving her what she wanted—and more often than not, she did.

She lived 94 years filled with experiences, stories, memories, and a history that was uniquely hers.

She was our mom, our children’s grandmother, and their children’s great-grandmother. She was a beautiful woman whose strength, style, and love will continue to live on through all of us.

We will miss her deeply, but we will always be grateful for the 94 years she gave this world and for the incredible gift of being the ones lucky enough to call her Mom.

Her life was long. Her life was remarkable. And her story will always be a part of ours.