In Our Words: Josy's Health and Final Years In early 1977, Josy was diagnosed with breast cancer, which had spread to her lymph nodes. She underwent a lumpectomy and two years of chemotherapy. She remained cancer-free for the remainder of her life. Struggling with significant hip pain, in the mid 1990’s Josy had a double hip replacement. She was meticulous about following her physical therapy regime, determined to dance at Jenessa’s Bat Mitzvah, which she did. Josy delayed addressing knee pain until after José passed in 2009. At age 85, she had knee replacement surgery. With the aspiration of a very long life, Josy instructed her medical team to make decisions regarding her health with an eye on living for many more years. Josy always enjoyed having intellectual discussions, often spending time during doctors’ appointments sharing philosophical ideas with her physicians. Josy was proud of her self-described “sedentary life-style”, notwithstanding lunches with friends and weekly hairdresser visits, grocery shopping, and medical appointments. She continued to drive herself to these activities well into her nineties. At home she enjoyed reading, watching old movies, and talking to her friends, often inviting them to join her for lunch and matinees of her favorite movies in her living room. In later years she was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. Her primary exercises were her physical therapy assignments, including walking up and down the halls in her home while chatting on the telephone or reciting poetry (sometimes both at once). Josy was easily distracted while walking and experienced a series of falls, several times requiring months in rehab facilities to regain her strength. In late August 2015 Josy was hospitalized with labored breathing and died five days later. Josy’s zeal for life, and optimism never receded. During this last hospitalization she discussed plans for her next hairdresser appointment, concerned that it might be delayed due to the Pope’s visit to Philadelphia. She retained her desire to be actively involved with family and friends, maintaining her intellectual capability and memory throughout her life.