Mary Jo "Josie" Lukey

Mary Jo “Josie” Lukey, 91, of Bloomington, IN, passed away peacefully Sunday, November 5, 2023. She died as she lived - with love, humor and appreciation. Josie was born on May 22, 1932 in Roxana, IL to the late William Daniel and Alene Clamantha Bost. Our dear dear Mother, Grandmother, Aunt, Friend, Teacher has left us behind for joyous reunions with her beloved Jack, family, friends, and Savior. Oh, how we'll miss her, but she left us with countless memories to treasure and use in our lives. Josie grew up knowing everyone in Roxana. She just never met a stranger or someone who wasn't lovable. We thought she'd been a real goody two shoes, but were surprised when her friend told us she was always in trouble for talking too much! She was surrounded by many loving, somewhat taciturn Aunts and Uncles, but turned out to be the fun one! She was very serious about her piano though, elocution competitions, being an excellent student, and the best friend a person could have. Mom went to Illinois Wesleyan University to become a concert pianist, but 2 ½ years later she fell in love, got married, and shared her love of music till her last day. You may have heard her soothing or motivating melodies in a nursing home, or grown in confidence in her Junior Music Club. Maybe you enjoyed her programs designed for children to perform and to shine. Maybe she was your piano teacher, celebrating your success with unabashed YAHOOS! Perhaps you heard her lovely voice singing in the aisles of Kroger, or behind you in church. You might have been in a choir she directed in a Navy chapel overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, or in a play she directed on some naval base in the Pacific. Our family will cherish the times we could be together singing, calling out our favorites till dawn or our voices croaked. Josie was a Navy wife for nearly 25 years, and appeared to effortlessly surmount this truly arduous task, moving her family about the country (or to a foreign land) every two years with great enthusiasm - never a complaint! Mom and Dad made many lifelong friends, and hosted many young servicemen to a taste of familyhood far from their own homes. Mom touched many lives in many places and probably remembered them all, and would tell how they touched HER. If she knew you, she truly loved and cared about you. If she didn't know you, well, she wanted to! She was grateful for all her opportunities and made the best use of them to help and serve her family and anyone she could. Survived by her children Mark, Danny, Linda, and Paul John, 2 nieces and 23 grandchildren, we will remember her as God's gift of love and joy. In lieu of flowers, we would like to suggest doing something nice for someone in need. Mom would like that! Calling hour will be held Saturday December 2, 2023 at 1pm, memorial service to follow at 2pm.Bloomington Free Methodist Church, 1121 S. Lincoln St., Bloomington, IN Allen Funeral Home and Crematory have been entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences, photos and memories may with shared with the family and friends at www.allencares.com

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Mary Jo "Josie" Lukey

May 22, 1932 - November 6, 2023