MILLINOCKET -- Josephine O. (Osborne) Leavitt, 81, wife of the late Laurel J. Leavitt, passed away Tuesday, July 3, 2007, at Katahdin Nursing Home, Millinocket, where she had been a resident for the past 16 years. She was born May 16, 1926, in Millinocket, the daughter of Albert J. and Aldea M. (Bilodeau) Osborne.
Jo was a lifelong resident of Millinocket. She was employed for 26 years as a CNA at Millinocket Regional Hospital, work-ing most of those years in the nursery. She loved her babies and saw many of them grow up to have families of their own. In later years, she worked as a ward clerk at the hospital until her retirement in 1985. She will be remembered fondly by her co-workers for her huge smile and fast moving feet. She was best known for skipping up and down the halls of Millinocket Regional Hospital and singing on the 3-11 shift. She loved life, children and the elderly. Grammie "Jo" was especially proud of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and all that they have accomplished. Jo was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, the Daughters of Isabella, Little Flower Circle, and the VFW Auxiliary.
She is survived by her children: Linda L. Nadeau and her husband, Ben, Terrance P. Leavitt and his wife, Anne, and Richard L. Leavitt and his wife, Linda M., all of Millinocket; her grandchildren: Michael B. Nadeau of Waterville, Janel M. Duplisea of Millinocket, Paul J. Leavitt and Stacey J. Pike of Massachusetts, Hope E. Charette of Millinocket, Kristen L. Smith of Bangor, and James J. Leavitt of Millinocket; her great-grandchildren: Corbin M. Nadeau of Waterville, Bradley S. Duplisea of Millinocket, McKenna B. Smith of Bangor, and Matthew J. Pike of Massachusetts; a brother, Laurier Osborne of Florida; a stepbrother, Morris Fitzgerald of Millinocket; a special aunt and uncle, Theresa and Kenneth Osborne of East Millinocket; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to her beloved husband, she was predeceased by her parents; sisters, Leola, Yvette and Irene; and a brother, Arthur.
"I am free, free to be me...I can dance again, laugh again, I can live again. Do not cry for me, but smile for me. I will be smi-ling for you in everything you do. Don't cry for me, but smile for me...until we meet again." Friends are invited to visit with the family 6-9 p.m. Friday at Bouchard - Lamson Funeral Home, 11 Tamarack St., Millinocket. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Saturday, July 7, at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, 112 Maine Ave., Millinocket, with the Rev. Joel Cyr, pastor, presider. Interment will be at Millinocket Cemetery. Gifts in memory of Jo may be sent to Katahdin Nursing Home, 22 Walnut St., Millinocket, ME 04462. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.lamsonfh.com.
