Obituary of Josephine Fleury Beach

JOSEPHINE FLEURY BEACH

On September 25, 2025 this devoted sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother passed peacefully into eternity.

Josephine was born just outside Pittsburg, PA on May 22, 1928 to Raymond Leon Fleury and Irene Emelie Hebert Fleury.  She was the first of four girls; Jeanne Marie (Fleury) Townsend who resides in Hilton, NY.  Blanche Rosalind (Fleury) Dormady – deceased and Anastasia (Tessie) Louise (Fleury) Davenport – also deceased.

Her parents were the children of French Canadian emigrants from Quebec and in her early years only Canadian French was spoken at home.  English was introduced to the household once the children entered school.

Her family moved to Auburn, NY where she attended grade school.  They later moved to Ithaca, NY where Josephine attended high school.  Her high school years coincided with WWII and her parents became worried about a German invasion and keeping their family safe.  Her father had her join the rifle team at school so she could be trained and capable of protecting the family in his absence.  Josephine was the only female on the team and excelled – winning several medals at competitions.

Josephine held many employment and volunteer positions, mostly secretarial and management support.  Josephine worked at what she called “the TB Hospital” after she graduated from high school and until she married.  Josephine held the position of line-o-typist at the Vestal News in the late ‘60’s.  She was also a secretary at the Psychology Department at the University of Vermont and finally at a law office in Albany, NY.  She volunteered at every church she attended, sang in many choirs, played Bingo every chance she got, but her long-term commitment was as an election inspector for 54 years in the states of New York, Vermont and Florida.  This accomplishment earned her the 2014 Senior Lifetime Achievement Award for which her family was very proud of her.

Josephine was very devoted to her children, Elinor (James) Czebiniak, Ada (Al – deceased) Buhrmaster, Beverly (Ken) Taubenfeld, Joanne (Miles) Russell, Thomas – deceased and Benjamin (Jeanne) Beach. Josephine’s extended family of sisters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grand-children, multi generations of in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends always delighted her.  She enjoyed the presence of every special person in her life and counted each as priceless.  She considered them all to be family.  Her loving concern will be greatly missed. 

Josephine’s memorial celebration will be at The First Baptist Church of Ballston Spa, NY on October 7 at 2pm. 

Memorial contributions may be made to:

The First Baptist Church of Ballston Spa:

202 Milton Ave

Ballston Spa, NY 12020

518-885-8364

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Funeral arrangements have been entrusted by her family to the Gordon C. Emerick Funeral Home, 1550 RT-9, Clifton Park, NY 12065