Josefina de Frutos Wood Obituary

Josefina Ibarola de Frutos was born to Consuelo and Casildo on March 19, 1936 in Barcelona, Spain. She was an incredibly hard worker, and lived her life with a fire and a strength that few possessed. She passed away peacefully in her sleep in the early morning hours of Friday, April 10, 2026 when she was reunited with all of those who had gone before her, but especially her daughter-in-law, Beth, her beautiful granddaughter, Tinesha, and the love of her life, "Woody". In the last few weeks before her passing, she was able to spend time with all of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Over the beautiful journey of her life, she went by many names- "Pepita" to her parents and siblings in Spain, "Jo" to the extended family she built in the United States, "Ms. Josie" to countless friends and neighbors, "Mom" to her four beloved children, but to most- She was "Ya-Ya".

She signed her her cards and letters to our family "Love, Mom and Ya-Ya" followed by her signature smiley face. For someone who made it through all 90 years of her life without ever having internet or a cell phone, she had an incredible ability to forge connections with all of those around her. If you were ever blessed with one of her cards, letters, or little notes of encouragement, you know that even after 62 years in the United States, she sounded like she hopped off that plane from Spain yesterday and had the amazing ability to not only speak, but WRITE, with a Spanish accent. But, you better not say anything about it or you might get a, "Is something wrong with my English?" Complete with a hand on her hip. (Please note that this quote was censored for the public. She may have included a few choice words when she said it.)

You didn't have to know Ya-Ya long to build a lasting connection or a memory to last a lifetime. From the paramedic at Goodwill when her sugar dropped who asked if she had any allergies and was met with her reply of, "Just MEN.", to the neighbor's dog she would allow in her house daily who learned to go to her fridge for an "esnack", to the nurses over the last few weeks of her life who would ask her what she wanted to drink with her dinner and got "Whiskey" as their answer- She had a way of bringing light, laughter, and fun with her fiery spirit wherever she went and with whomever she met. Everyone who had the pleasure of meeting her (and being entertained by her) will carry their own memories and reminders of her. Whether it's her love of dancing until the very end, her Mini Cooper "hitting the roads", her Goodwill runs just to "esnoop", her insistence on using hankies instead of tissues, or anything she said that just sounded better with that accent- It's all of these little things that will be lasting reminders of her fiery spirit and caring heart.

There was an immeasurable amount of fire, spunk, and spiciness packed into that little 5'1 frame of hers. But there was also a soul who cared very deeply for all living things- from the plants and flowers to the birds and squirrels. (Actually, not the squirrels. "Those little bastards.") Ya-Ya knew no stranger and would have given any living being comfort and encouragement if they were in need. Her empathy and compassion came from her personal journey and so did her strength. Life was not always easy, and in fact, it was "pretty damn hard" for her at many points in her long, beautiful life. But she faced it all with empathy, compassion, fire, and strength. She was the perfect example of a woman who showed us that you can be both soft and strong.

Ya-Ya's empathy, compassion, fire, and strength will live on in her children- Judy Gahr (Willard, Ohio), and Eddie (Elaine) LaPoint, John (Lynn) LaPoint, and Regina (Mike) Hickerson (Summerville, SC), her grandchildren- Kyleigh (Cody) Niedermeier and Winton (Kate) Gahr (Willard, Ohio), E.J. LaPoint, Autumn (Jordan) Richardson, Weston (Riley) Hickerson (Summerville, SC), and her great-grandchildren- Logan and Chloe Ridley (York, Maine), Connor and Koraline Niedermeier (Willard, Ohio), and Kynleigh and Penelope Gahr (Willard, Ohio).

Ya-Ya left us with wisdom to live by in her many "favorite phrases" and in her last beautiful letter to our family. So, as Ya-Ya would say, "Stick together-or I'll haunt you…Comprendes? Dance. Sing. Laugh. Love each other. And don't be so serious. Always remember- Que sera sera. What will be, will be. There we go! That's it!"

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her honor to two organizations that were dear to her heart, St, Jude's or Family Hospice of Greenville.

Calling Hours will be held in Summerville, SC on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 from 6-8pm and a service on Thursday, April 16, 2026 at 11:00 am at Parks Funeral Home.

Arrangements by PARKS FUNERAL HOME, 130 West 1st North Street, Summerville, SC 29483. www.parksfuneralhome.com

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