Headshot image of PAATSCH, Ethel Josephine (Josie)

PAATSCH, Ethel Josephine (Josie)

Born Wednesday July 14, 1937. Passed away Friday July 28, 2023.


Passed away peacefully with family by her side.
Loved Wife of Leon (dec). Loving mother of Caroline and Gavan. Loved mother in-law of Sheree. Treasured gran to Chloe, Charlie, Georgia; Lewis, Jack, and Tilly.

Now reunited with Leon

Funeral notice


Service

Friday August 04, 2023

Requiem Mass for the repose of the soul of Mrs Josie Paatsch will be offered at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Gellibrand Street, Colac on Friday, August 4, 2023 commencing at 1.30 p.m.
The Funeral will leave the Church at the conclusion of Mass for the Colac Lawn Cemetery.

For those unable to attend, CLICK HERE to view live-stream.

Tributes

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  1. To Caroline,Gavin and families, our thoughts are with you on the passing of your beautiful mum.
    Love Nicole, Wes, Alby and Cody xx

    Nicole Lynch

    August 14, 2023 11:29 pm

  2. Remembered warmly for her years of commitment to early childhood education and her engaging contributions to our district kindergarten teacher meetings. Josie has left us with many happy memories.

    Sue Warriner

    August 06, 2023 1:05 pm

  3. Remembered warmly for her years of commitment to early childhood education and for her engaging contributions to our district Kindergarten teacher meetings. Josie has left us with many happy memories.

    Sue Warriner

    August 06, 2023 12:52 pm

  4. Am sending my deepest condolences to Josie’s families, her loss will be very much felt by you all. ♥️

    I have such beautiful memories of this beautiful, sweetest lady whom was my favourite Grade 1 teacher, Miss Carroll at Alvie Consolidated School. She was so gentle, kind and approachable to all of us tiny ‘littlies’ way back in 1958.

    I will always treasure our chats on the street, our reminiscing of our earlier days, plus the clarity of her memory, proving to be nothing short of amazing as she reflected back on never forgetting me in her class all those years ago and teaching my brother Ian Parker the following year…. she also expressed her delight in establishing a lovely friendship with my parents Ivy and Charlie..

    Josie was very supportive of the Ian Parker Bipolar Research Fund I had founded as a tribute to Ian and I will never forget her appreciation of all charities that supported mental health research.

    Thank you for being such an important part of mine and Ian’s childhood and for your ongoing friendship over so many decades.
    We whom had the honour and privilege of knowing you as our loyal longtime friend are definitely all the richer for this and are so grateful to you Josie.

    Another gorgeous perfumed rose has been chosen and gently picked to further enhance God’s Glorious Garden.
    Rest In Peace beautiful lady. Til we meet again one day. xoxo♥️🥀♥️🥀♥️🥀♥️🥀♥️xoxo

    Carol Smit (Parker)
    Elliminyt

    Carol Smit

    August 04, 2023 5:41 pm

  5. Dear Caroline, Gavin, Sheree and Grandchildren,

    Heartfelt condolences on the loss of your lovely Mum and Gran - Josie - who always took the time to be genuinely interested in others.
    She was a lifelong educator and family friend to many, but most of all she was your loving and caring mother and grandmother.
    May she now rest in peace - perfect peace with Leon.

    Dianne And Shane Loubey

    August 04, 2023 10:40 am

  6. Deepest sympathy to Caroline, Gavan and family on the passing of Josie.
    Our thoughts are with you at this sad time

    Ann and Kevin Westwood and families

    Ann Westwood

    August 04, 2023 10:30 am

  7. Deepest sympathy to Caroline, Gavan and family.
    Josie will be sadly missed.
    Lovely memories of your dear mother.
    Love and warm wishes,
    Peter, Mary Morrissy and family xxxx

    Caroline Wilson

    August 04, 2023 10:12 am

  8. Dear Gav, Sheree, Caroline and children.
    Sending you all my deepest condolences with the loss of your beautiful mother Josie.
    Your mother was loved and treasured by all of our family. Fond memories of Kinda days with her and my Gran Rose Malone.
    Your mother was one of kind.
    Love and prayers to you all.
    Caroline Morrissy xxxx

    Caroline Wilson

    August 04, 2023 9:19 am

  9. Sending my Deepest Sympathy to Caroline & Gavan and families on the loss of your dear mother, Josie.
    As the local kindergarten teacher, Josie played a huge role in the beginnings of my 3 children education, along with most of the district children.
    Her care was exceptional and her cheery smile will be sadly missed.
    RIP Josie with Leon xx

    Roslyn Chant

    August 04, 2023 8:15 am

  10. Deepest sympathy to Caroline, Gavan and families. Josie was a very well respected colleague of our Early Childhood Community. She has left a wonderful legacy of kindness and a love of learning with many many children who had the privilege of having Mrs Paatsch as their kinder teacher.
    Kathie Clissold

    Kathie Clissold

    August 03, 2023 9:07 pm

  11. Thoughts are with both Caroline and Gavin and your families, what a hard few months you have been through, both your parents reunited again.
    May your memories stay close.
    Teresa Stinchcombe (Morrissy)

    Teresa Stinchcombe

    August 03, 2023 8:28 pm

  12. Dear Caroline, Gavin & families so sorry to hear of your mum passing , Josie was such a lovely lady our family has lovely memories of her on our trip to Alice Springs. Every night she had the song books out for everyone to sing, Jack & Meghan still laugh about it as she was in tune but not many others. So sorry that we cannot atend Josie"s Mass but now she is reunited with the love of her life Leon.
    RIP Josie in the arms of Leon.
    Jeanette,Simon,Jack & Meghan Brumby

    JEANETTE BRUMBY

    August 03, 2023 7:45 pm

  13. To Caroline , Gavin + families
    Sending our deepest sympathy on the passing of dear Josie .
    A very dedication + caring kindergarten teacher, who continued to show interest in the children’s future .
    United peacefully with Leon .
    Love Phil , Deb , Celeste + Taneka Neale 💐

    Phil & Deb Neale

    August 03, 2023 6:49 pm

  14. Sincere condolences on the loss of Josie.
    Fond memories of a kind hearted, gentle lady who taught me at Alvie Kindergarten.

    May she rest in peace.

    Celeste Clarke (Neale).

    Celeste Clarke

    August 03, 2023 6:44 pm

  15. My Deepest Sympathy,To Caroline,Gavin and family 💐 ,l am very sorry to here that Josie has passed away. Just under 2months of Leon 😢😢,l had the privilege of working for Josie ,in her garden at the farm ,and at rodger drive in colac over 15 years 💐💐💐,Thanks Josie and Leon for the wonderful memories off those years ,we spent together talking about anything and everything 🌹🌹 ,You both will be so sadly missed 😢😢,RIP TOGETHER 💖💖💐💐💐💐💐💐LOVE DELI XOXO 😘😘

    Delwyn Parker

    August 03, 2023 3:26 pm

  16. sincere sympathy to Caroline,Gavin and families and as we all share the beautiful memories of your treasured Mother as she joins your father Leon in heaven. Love to you all veronica inglis

    Veronica Inglis

    August 03, 2023 2:49 pm

  17. Dear Caroline Gavin Sherrie and grandchildren ,lots of wonderful memories Josie was always interested in all family news along with Leon .we had the most wonderful holiday together the music, singing , laughter, of an evening around camp fires. Rest peacefully Josie. Caroline. Gavin your care of your parents over the past months was done with such love.God Bless Love Eileen, Mick

    M Mc Guane

    August 03, 2023 11:24 am

  18. To Caroline,Gavin and families, our thoughts are with you on the passing of my dearest sister Josie.
    I will hold onto the wonderful memories.
    Rest peacefully
    Mary and Bert Mckinnon

    Mary Mckinnon

    August 03, 2023 10:32 am

  19. My deepest sympathy to Caroline and Gavan on the passing of your Mother Josie. A gentle lady now with Leon .
    A wonderful Gran to Chloe,Charlie and Georgia.
    Thanks for all the good memories Josie RIP.
    Your friend Dean.

    Dean Grist

    August 03, 2023 6:22 am

  20. To Caroline and family deepest sympathy on the passing of Josie she was kind and gentle person who taught both our children at Kindergarten always asking about them and their journey in life.
    Rest in peace Josie
    Sheryl &Graeme Langdon

    Sheryl Langdon

    August 02, 2023 10:23 pm

  21. To Gavan, Sheree and extended Paatsch family, thinking of you at this difficult time.

    Darron Rippon

    August 02, 2023 9:22 am

  22. To Caroline and Gavin and families, sending our deepest sympathy on the loss of your much loved mum and grandmother Josie, she was my school teacher at Alvie then you Caroline with Cass at St Brendan's. Reunited with her much loved Leon who was my bus driver to school. Josie was always happy to see us through the years always up for a chat and catch up. RIP Josie what a memorable life you shared with so many. Julie and Cass Campbell. ❤️

    Julie Campbell

    August 02, 2023 7:21 am

  23. Thinking of you Caroline at this sad time. Deepest sympathies to the family.

    Nola, Cam And Family

    August 01, 2023 9:43 pm

  24. My deepest sympathy and condolences to you Caroline, Gavin and families.
    I have so many happy and wonderful memories working with Josie at the Alvie Kindergarten l will cherish forever.
    A beautiful lady may you rest in peace Josie xx

    SAVERIA Alsop

    August 01, 2023 9:08 pm

  25. I have many wonderful and cherished memories of working alongside Josie at the Alvie & District Kinder. Josie had so much passion and dedication in her teaching profession. I was extremely fortunate to learn from Josie’s guidance and knowledge as we worked together.
    Rest peacefully Josie.
    Sincere condolences to Caroline, Gavan and families.
    Trina

    Ketrina Hester

    August 01, 2023 8:31 pm

  26. Deepest Sympathy to thePaatch Families

    Sharyn Newton

    August 01, 2023 8:08 pm

  27. Thinking of you all at this sad time... Caroline, Chloe, Charlie & Georgia
    Gavan, Sheree, Lewis, Jack & Tilly.
    Its a comfort to know Josie has her wish to be reunited with her beloved Leon.
    RIP together forever.
    They have both left great memories for you all to treasure.
    Love from Betty & Families XX

    Betty Skinner

    August 01, 2023 8:06 pm

  28. Love to you Caroline and family so sorry for the loss of your beautiful Mum
    Love Molly and Bella Neal

    Molly Neal

    August 01, 2023 7:47 pm

  29. My deepest sympathy to you Caroline and Gavin we have some great memories of Josie and Leon over the years. Enjoy your memories of a lovely mother and grandma. Bill(dec) Verna and Bronwyn

    Verna Egan

    August 01, 2023 4:36 pm

  30. To Caroline, Chloe, Charlie and Georgia and Gavin, Sheree, Lewis, Jack and Tilly,
    Our deepest sympathy to you all. Keeping you in our thoughts.
    Bill, Deb, Megan and Tim Parker x

    Debra Parker

    August 01, 2023 9:10 am

  31. My deepest sympathies and condolences to all the families Josie was my kindergarten teacher in 1972 at alvie consolidated primary school,my she now and always live and rest in the arms of our lord Jesus Christ god’s blessings to all the family fiona

    Fiona Gammack

    July 31, 2023 10:46 pm

  32. Deepest sympathy to you, Caroline and family at this sad time. Happy memories of working with/ for Josie many years ago at the Alvie Kinder and lots of chats when we caught up since then. A beautiful lady . Thoughts and love are with you all. Judy Jackson

    Judy Jackson

    July 31, 2023 8:48 pm

  33. Deepest sympathy to Gavan,Sheree and family on the loss of Josie-now back in Leon’s arms x
    From Alice Doyle

    Alice Doyle

    July 31, 2023 8:11 pm

  34. Dear Caroline, Dean, and families,
    Our sincere condolences to you all on the loss of Josie, your much loved mother and grandmother. Josie left her mark on so many young students in her long career as a kindergarten teacher. May she rest in peace.
    Tim & Helen Gibson & family

    Tim & Helen Gibson

    July 31, 2023 8:08 pm

  35. Rest in peace Josie love to Caroline and Gavan and families. Always remember.💐. From Lil,Frank Simon,Megan,Hannah,and Jonathan.

    Lillian Filice

    July 30, 2023 8:00 pm

  36. Sorry to hear Caroline and family, thoughts are with you. Not only was Josie my kinder teacher, but I had the privilege of reconnecting with Josie as a community care worker where we reminisced!
    Deepest sympathy, Kim Barwise

    Kim Barwise

    July 30, 2023 7:54 pm

  37. Deepest sympathy to Caroline and Family. Josie played in the band with Frank loved her music and was a friend at probus treasure the memories

    Joan Frank (dec) Lawrence And Family

    July 30, 2023 5:49 pm