Josephine (Jo) Avender Vogel, a resident of Neshaminy Manor in Warrington (PA), was called home by the Lord on June 19, 2020. Jo was reunited in everlasting life with her loving husband Wilfred (Fred) H. Vogel, Jr., whose home going preceded his dear wife's on April 25, 2020. Born on August 13, 1930, Jo lived with her loving parents Ludmila Pribilova and Joseph Avender and her dear sisters Vasiljka (Wally), Magdelena (Madeline), Theresa (Terry), and Ludmila (Millie) in Yugoslavia. As a young girl, Jo developed a strong work ethic, often helping with chores on their peaceful homestead. Jo vividly remembered having chickens and a goat in Europe. She and her sisters were often tasked with feeding the animals, collecting the fresh eggs and goat milk, and assisting their mom as she skillfully selected, plucked, and prepared a chicken for dinner. The well-tended garden and arbor produced a bounty of crisp vegetables and juicy grapes. God's blessings were abundant.

Unbeknownst to the young Avender girls, their father's fears of a pending German invasion were growing. Hitler's reach was spreading; the harsh reality of war was no longer a distant threat. Josephine's father enacted a brave plan to protect his family. Carrying only a few essentials, the family embarked on a 3-day journey to Bremen, one of the largest ports in Germany. From there, they set sail on a cargo ship for a week-long voyage to America. On March 9, 1939 Jo, at the tender age of 8, arrived in the United States via Ellis Island, NY. The family then traveled to Philadelphia (PA) to stay temporarily with Jo's grandmother Magdelena, who had resettled in America with two of her three sons years earlier. (Jo's father Joseph was unable to travel to the US with his mother and brothers at that time due to a medical issue. At age 15, Joseph remained behind in Yugoslavia and became a tailor's apprentice.) For the next 2 years, the family rented their own home in Philadelphia and attended German Baptist Church. After securing a beautiful Victorian home in nearby Rockledge, the family attended Bethany Baptist Church (Philadelphia).

With the support of her family and her faith, Jo adjusted to life in America. She learned to speak fluent English and made new friends at Rockledge School, which she attended through grade 9. By the time Jo attended Lower Moreland High School (Huntingdon Valley, PA), she was "quite popular," according to her little sister Millie. Jo, quiet and studious, aspired to play high school basketball, but her protective father had misgivings. Eventually Jo's father was persuaded by a respected teacher and member of the Bethany congregation to allow Jo to play. Jo excelled quickly on the basketball court. When she graduated Lower Moreland in 1948, she had successfully captained the varsity team. Lovely as she was athletic, Jo was also selected to be a May Day Maid of Honor.

Jo was blossoming into a beautiful and graceful young lady. At Bethany, she caught the eye of Fred, her mischievous and dapper suitor. Jo and Fred married on September 9, 1950, both eager to start a family. After their eldest child was born, they settled in Levittown (PA). Over their almost 70 years of marriage, Jo and Fred raised five children and rejoiced in six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Jo is the beloved mother of Janet (Vogel) Maiorana, Bob Vogel, Fred Vogel (predeceased), Ron Vogel, and Nancee (Vogel) Morelli; the grandmother of Rachel (Maiorana) Eastwood, Jessica (Maiorana) Milosky, Sherri (Vogel) Kurzweg, Shawnna (Vogel) Hillegass, Nick (Vogel) Morelli, and Anthony (Vogel) Morelli; and the great-grandmother of Sofia (Maiorana) Eastwood, Michaela (Maiorana) Eastwood, Kenzie (Vogel) Kurzweg, and Brynnli (Vogel) Hillegass. Jo was also a beloved aunt to her seven nieces and three nephews.

. From a very young age, Jo assisted her father Joseph, a respected tailor, with the sewing of buttons and hems. As she grew older, Jo worked with her dad every day after school. Together they pressed uniforms for local school marching bands, women's auxiliaries, and various men's groups. Although she didn't wholly enjoy the long hours and tedious work, Jo became a skilled seamstress. As a young mother, she sewed aprons and did mending to support her own growing family. Later in life, Jo found great joy using her talent with the needle to sew beautiful cross-stitches, hand crafting a loving legacy for her children.

Under the tutelage of her mother and mother-in-law, Jo became an excellent cook. When her youngest child entered school, Jo worked in the kitchen at Langhorne (PA) Gardens Nursing Home. A new opportunity soon arose at Pickering Manor Nursing Home, a respected care facility in Newtown (PA), which enabled Jo to obtain her dietitian's certification. Jo successfully ran the busy kitchen at Pickering until her children were grown.

Jo was also a wonderful baker. Each December, she took a week's vacation to bake a variety of delicious holiday cookies. The mixer whirred along with the sounds of Anne Murray's "Silver Bells," "Engelbert Humperdinck's "The Lord's Prayer," and Jo's favorite Bill and Gloria Gaither Christmas album. Jo's daughters Janet and Nancee delighted in helping Jo jelly, jimmy, and ice a variety of favorite cookies. The entire house smelt of fresh-baked goodness! With the cookie tins packed, Jo spent many late nights wrapping and ribboning gifts. She lovingly decorated her home with fragrant wreaths and a fresh cut evergreen adorned with her treasured ornaments. On Christmas morning, the children couldn't wait to see the wonders inside the pretty boxes piled high under the tree. Today hearts are filled with gratitude for the care Jo took to make the Christmas season so special for her family. Jo's holiday spirit sprung from a heart filled with love for Christ. She joyfully celebrated Jesus's birth and rejoiced in her Savior.

After living many years in Levittown, Fred and Jo moved their family to Central Bucks (PA). Fred custom built two beautiful houses, one in Doylestown and the other in Pipersville. The family enjoyed many happy times in these two homes, which Jo had so beautifully decorated with colonial antiques and furnishings. No matter where Jo lived, a small apartment or five-bedroom house, her homes reflected her warm and welcoming spirit. Home for Jo's children will always be where Mom is.
After moving to Pipersville, Jo enjoyed working as a receptionist for Greenleaf Nursing Home in Doylestown. When the children were grown, Jo and Fred decided to start a new chapter in their lives and relocated to scenic Asheville, NC. Their respite down South near the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains was a peaceful time in their lives. Having refreshed their souls, the Lord soon called Fred and Jo to return North to assist Fred's aging parents. God had gifted Jo with a care giver's heart and equipped her with the strength, love, and patience to physically and emotionally care for her in-laws according to His plan.

In her senior years, Jo began to have some memory issues. Names began to elude her, and the past slowly became more real than the present. Fred did his best to care for her needs. At this time, Jo and Fred where once again enjoying a quiet life together, often taking long rides through scenic Berks County (PA). Jo, having played piano in her youth at Sunday church services, shared a lifelong love of music with Fred. Together they enjoyed watching Bill and Gloria Gaither's Gospel Hour as well as Billy Graham's sermons. One night after enjoying their favorite TV programs, Fred took a bad fall and broke his hip. The Lord worked Fred's health crisis for good, miraculously opening doors at Neshaminy Manor Nursing Home (Warrington, PA) for Fred to rehabilitate from his hip surgery and for Jo to safely reside in the Dementia Unit. Jo was embraced by the residents and care givers at Neshaminy for the sweet soul mirrored in her sparkling blue eyes and smiling face. Although Jo could not speak clearly as her dementia progressed, the tender way she held and loved on her baby dolls spoke volumes about her kind and tender heart.

Donations may be made in Jo's memory to the Alzheimer's Association. To make a memorial gift, please call 800-272-3900 or go to www.Alz.org and click on the purple DONATE icon located in the upper right-hand corner. Checks can be sent to National Processing Center Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011. In your correspondence, please indicate that your gift is being made in memory of Josephine Avender Vogel and request that an acknowledgement of receipt for your donation be sent to Nancee Morelli, 109 Green Ash Lane, Chalfont, PA 18914. A private memorial service will be held for Jo at Kirk and Nice Suburban Chapel, 333 W. County Line Rd., Huntingdon Valley, PA, on Friday, July 24th at 11:00 am. Having been blessed with two special mothers, one with and the other without dementia, the family knows firsthand that memories are both precious and fragile. Please share your loving memories of Jo on this memorial website. Thank you for these invaluable gifts.