Josephine "Josie" R. McAroy's Obituary
Josephine “Josie” Rose McAroy, age 82, of Lewes, DE, passed away on Thursday, March 30, 2023, surrounded by her loving family. Born on December 28th, 1940, in Camden, NJ, daughter of the late Robert McQuillan and Margaret Coleman McQuillan.
A native New Jerseyan, Josie was a 1959 graduate of Gloucester Catholic High in Gloucester City, NJ, on October 20th, 1962, she married her beloved high school sweetheart Francis McAroy, at St. Mary’s Church, in Gloucester City, NJ. Josie enjoyed officiating many different sports including field hockey, basketball, and softball throughout her life, and was a West Chapter Five Softball Official. Josie earned the distinction of being the first woman referee assignor in the state of New Jersey. She was a highly successful softball coach and worked at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyards. Before she retired, she worked as an Indian River School District Paraprofessional. Josie played field hockey all throughout her life and was an all-around and all-star athlete. She was a proud member of the drum and bugle corps during her time in high school. Josie enjoyed seeing her grandchildren in every possible way, with watching football, field hockey, dance recitals, choir shows, band concerts, and ROTC. In her spare time, she enjoyed watching game shows, golfing, and reading magazines. Josie was a shining light in the lives of so many and her smile, exuberance and presence will dearly missed by all who were blessed to have had her in their lives.
In addition to her parents, Josie was preceded in death by her loving husband Francis McAroy of Lewes, DE; her parents Robert and Margeret McQuillan of Gloucester, NJ; her brother Felix McQuillan of Gloucester, NJ; her sisters Margeret (Edward) Underwood of Millsboro, DE, and Helen (Charles) Rambo of Melbourne, FL. She is survived by her wonderful children; Christina McAroy and Brenda Ellebracht of Palm Bay, FL; Frank (Lori) McAroy of Lewes, DE; Colleen (John) Barrett of Lewes, DE; Cheryl McAroy of Lewes, DE; her beloved grandchildren: Justin and Jeremy Ellebracht of Palm Bay, FL; Lilly McAroy, John, Bridget, and Thomas Barrett, Scott Wolk, and Hannah Wolk, all from Lewes, DE; her brother-in law Richard (Barbara) McAroy of Harrah, OK; her dear brother: Robert McQuillan of Gloucester, NJ; and many nieces and nephews.
Services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, her family suggest donations in Josie’s memory to Meals on Wheels of Lewes, Delaware, 32409 Lewes Georgetown Hwy, Lewes, DE 19958 (https://www.mealsonwheels-lr.org/)
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