Josephine Hyse of Oswego, passed away Monday, November 9, 2009 at home.
Jo was born on April 13, 1923 in Berlin, Germany. She was married to Dr. Richard Hyse, Ph.D. for over 60 years. They called Oswego, N.Y. their home.
Jo was an accomplished graphic and watercolor artist, maintaining a studio in their home. She was a member of the Oswego Opera Theater and the Oswego Art Guild where she was Exhibits Coordinator from 1964-1986. Jo’s interest in the Oswego Art Guild stemmed from her love of the arts and a true desire to give back to her adopted community. Jo had multiple exhibits at the Art Center and the first floor gallery is named the Jo Hyse Gallery in her honor. Jo was featured in the documentary “Oswego Civic Art Center: Four Decades of Excellence,†and an exhibit there titled, “Honoring the Past,” was dedicated to her. She was a charter member of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. and was once interviewed by a German writer writing a book about women who survived the Ravensbruck concentration camp.
Jo and Richard enjoyed entertaining and she took great pride in her cooking. Everyone looked forward to Jo’s dinner parties or afternoon teas. Jo was also an excellent seamstress, making many of her own, chic clothes.
One of Jo’s and Richard’s favorite past-times was watching the sunset along Breitbeck Park. Even in later years, when Richard could no longer take walks, they would drive to the park and watch the sunset. In their younger years, they travelled to Europe many times, with Richard taking spectacular pictures with a Braun camera. They were devoted to each other, rarely apart in their many years of marriage.
Surviving is one brother of Josephine; Bert Lorell (Katherine) of Beverly Hills, California, a niece, Daryl (Jim) Kelehan of Marshalltown, Iowa; a nephew, Michael (Sandie) Loewenthal of Albuquerque, New Mexico; a great-nephew, Michael Loewenthal, Jr. and a great-niece, Maggie Jo Kelehan.
There will be no calling hours and burial will be private. A celebration of her life will be announced at a later date.
Donations may be made in her honor to the Art Association of Oswego.
Nelson Funeral Home has care of arrangements.
Online condolences may be made at www.nelson-funeralhome.com
missing or outdated ad config
