It is with much sadness that the Chan Centre acknowledges the sudden passing of beloved longtime staff member Josephine Howsam after a brief illness this past January. Josephine was one of the first ushers to be hired when we opened our doors in 1997. After three years she left for other pursuits, but returned to the Chan Centre in 2012 where she once again worked part time as a valued member of the Front of House staff. Josephine was a friendly, upbeat, and extremely hard working individual who always showed genuine interest in the lives of her co-workers. She paid close attention to the needs of patrons, helped train dozens of new staff members, and was always meticulous and thoughtful in her work. Josephine will be fondly remembered by all who knew her for her kindness, positivity, and infectious giggle. She found much joy from her time here engaging with patrons and fellow staff. Despite a successful career as a paralegal, she continued working at the Chan Centre on evenings and weekends because—in her own words—this was her “fun job.”
Josephine Howsam was a remarkable woman, who made a significant contribution to the Chan Centre. We will miss her very much.