Obituary of Josephine M. Ganshaw

Josephine "Jo" M. Ganshaw, age 81, a lifelong resident of the Town of Cambria, died Tuesday November 24, 2009 in Niagara Hospice House in Lockport, surrounded by her loving family. Jo was born November 18, 1928 in the Town of Cambria, the daughter of the late Rudolph and Ella (Kneeppel) Hillman. She attended a one room schoolhouse on Ridge Rd. Cambria. She was a graduate of Lockport High School and the Millard Fillmore School of Nursing. She was the first one in her family to graduate high school and college. Her sister became a nurse and other family members as well. Jo married Carl "Kelly" F. Ganshaw on July 7, 1952 in Tracey, MN. She was a Registered Nurse, employed by Inter-Community Memorial Hospital in Newfane, from which she retired in 1974. Jo had also worked as an RN at Lockport Memorial Hospital, the former Ransomville General Hospital, and as a Niagara County Public Health Nurse. She was a former member of the Cambria Volunteer Fire Co. Ladies Auxiliary where she booked events, weddings, etc. She was a member of the St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church at North Ridge, where she sang in the church choir for many years, and a member of the Millard Fillmore School of Nursing Alumni Association. Jo accompanied her Husband to the Clinton Bailey Market in Buffalo where they sold their vegetables from their family farm. During the 70's and 80's, Jo made and sold pies, chili sauce and other baked goods as well. She was very proud of the fact that she quit smoking after 50 years. She was an avid bingo player and enjoyed crosswords, flowers, gardening, music and dancing, and her pet dogs. She is survived by her husband, Carl; her children, Eric M. Ganshaw of the Town of Cambria, Grant C. (Deborah) Ganshaw of Tracey, CA, and Gail (Mark) Mittelstaedt, also of the Town of Cambria; her beloved grandchildren, Kevin (Jennifer), Alan, and John Cobb, Dean, Nicholas, and Steven Ganshaw, and Tristen (Randy) Seal; her great granddaughters, Alexis Seal and Krista Cobb; two sisters, Marian Warlinski of Lockport, and Florence Will of Chelmsford, MA; four sisters in law, Eva, Ann, Gloria and Mary Hillman;and many nieces and nephews. Also survived by her favorite cousin, Jean Schultz and special friend, Rev. Matt Sorenson.She was predeceased by two sisters, Melvina Claude and Dorothy Hillman, and four brothers, Elwood, Harry, Rudolph, and Roger Hillman, and her lifelong friend, Phyllis Beach Seefeldt. Friends may call at HARDISON FUNERAL HOME, 3648 Ransomville Road, Ransomville on Saturday from 4 - 8 pm. Funeral Services will be held Sunday, November 29, at 2:00 PM in St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church at North Ridge, 4169 Church Rd., Town of Cambria, with the Rev. Alexander Knowles officiating. Burial will follow in St. Peter's Lutheran Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church at North Ridge, 4169 Church Rd., Lockport, NY 14094 or to Niagara Hospice, 4675 Sunset Dr., Lockport, NY 14094.