Boyd, Josephine - Age 91. Oct. 20, 2026. Beloved wife of Frank for 59 years. Loving mother of Ben (Amy), Sue (Louis) and Carla (Brian). Devoted grandmother of Laine and Wyatt. Dear sister of the late Ben Gaioni (Carmen), late Pete Gaioni (Dolores), and late Rina Lillis. Cherished daughter of the late Beniamino and Cesarina Gaioni.

Josie was a true daughter of Detroit. Born on the East side in 1935 to Italian immigrant parents, she overcame unimaginable obstacles as a child to graduate from St. Elizabeth's high school. She then met a charming boy who was on his way to fight in the Korean War to escape the coal mines of Kentucky.

Together, they settled just outside Detroit, worked hard, and built a family. Josie loved and adored her siblings and friends. She was deeply loyal with multiple friendships spanning over 70 years. She was an incredible cook, especially Northern Italian cuisine. She loved to travel. She loved her children fiercely and her grandchildren were her absolute pride and joy. She deeply believed and practiced her Catholic faith. She was proud to have been married to her soulmate, Frank, for almost 60 years until his death in 2014.

Josie was brilliant. Up until her passing, she averaged reading a novel a week. She also loved cards, playing in three different leagues until she was 90. She could tell you the price of gas in 1953. She was also an expert seamstress, a Teamster, member of the UAW, and the vice president of her senior class.

She was fierce - there was no "give up" in Josie. We saw this on full display when she was discharged from inpatient hospice after five months - the first at the facility in almost three years. Her strength and will were an inspiration and she defied the odds until she drew her very last breath.

On Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, the family will receive loved ones from 11:00 - 11:30 a.m. at Holy Family Church at 24505 Meadowbrook Rd, Novi. The funeral liturgy will begin at 11:30 a.m. 

Memorial contributions may be made to the Epilepsy Foundation  or Angela Hospice.