Josephine "Josie" Zuniga LaPré, 83, of Springfield, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on August 18, 2024. She was the beloved wife of Richard Paul LaPré, with whom she shared over 60 years of marriage.

Josie was born on August 8, 1941, in San Angelo, Texas, where she was raised by Leopold and Trine Zuniga. She met her husband, Richard in San Angelo. At the age of twenty-two, Josie earned her LPN degree and began her career at a local hospital. A year later, she married Richard, and they moved to Long Island, New York, before finally settling in Springfield, Massachusetts. Josie dedicated herself to nursing for 46 years, serving patients at Bay State Hospital for six years and later working in two doctors' offices before her retirement.

Josie was a devout Catholic and a long-standing member of Holy Name Church, where she had served as a Eucharistic Minister and taught Pre Cana and CCD religious education alongside her husband. They were recognized for their educational contributions, receiving the Pope Pious X Excellence in Religious Education Award. Her faith was central to her life, and she took immense pride in her role as a wife, mother, and grandmother. Josie never missed an opportunity to support her family, especially her grandchildren, in all their endeavors. She enjoyed tending to her flower gardens, dancing with her husband, shopping and listening to music, had a passion for cooking and did it all graciously and with a profound sense of humor.

Josie is survived by her husband, Richard, her son Gregory LaPré and his wife Elizabeth, her daughter Jennifer Hayward and her husband Ernest and her four cherished grandchildren: Dylan LaPré, Riley LaPré, Tyler Hayward, and Sophia Hayward. She also leaves behind her siblings Mary Bataglia, Johnny Zuniga, Peter Zuniga, Christine Linehan, and George Zuniga. Josie was preceded in death by her brothers Leo Zuniga and Jessie Zuniga.

Josie will be remembered for her unwavering faith, her faithfulness to prayer and the rosary, her dedication to her family, the joy she took in watching her grandchildren grow up, her loving heart and her compassionate spirit.

Visitation with her family will be held on Wednesday August 21, 2024 from 4-7 P.M. at the Agawam Funeral Home 184 Main Street in Agawam. Family and friends will gather on Thursday August 22, 2024 for an 8 A.M. funeral home service followed by committal at the Massachusetts Veterans Cemetery at 10 A.M. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to The American Cancer Society or a charity of one's choice.