Josephine Omar (Collett) Lackman

Josephine O. Lackman “Jo”, age 95, of Sonoita, AZ, passed away peacefully at home on Christmas Day. Josephine was born on February 26, 1929, in Ellensburg, WA to George and Lillian Collett. Her childhood was filled with music, outdoor adventures, and travels across the American West. As the baby of the family, she was doted on by her numerous siblings and other family.

In 1947, Jo married Donald R. Lackman “Don”, her husband of almost 54 years. They settled in Bremerton where they spent the next 42 years of their lives, raising three daughters and a son along the way.  During this time, she also proudly served in her career as a Naval Analyst.

Don and Jo then spent eight years of their retirement serving with the Mobile Missionary Assistance Program (MMAP), a volunteer Christian RV organization that provides help and assistance in many ways to various Christian endeavors.  This allowed them to travel across the United States and during this time, they came across the Southern Arizona treasure of Sonoita where they settled into a long and happy retirement. Jo lived in Sonoita for nearly 30 years and was very involved in her community.

Jo took pride in her community, devoting herself to many worthwhile organizations, including the Sonoita-Patagonia Senior Citizens Program, the community food project, the Santa Cruz County Fair and Rodeo Association and the Elgin Club among others. As a woman of strong faith, her church family was very important to her. She hosted a women’s Bible study for most of her time in Sonoita. While she attended many churches in the area, her final church home was at the Canelo Cowboy Church.

Jo is survived by her three daughters, Susan Heritage, Donna Currie, and Rebecca Lackman, her nine grandchildren and their spouses, as well as numerous great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her husband Don, her son Edwin Lackman, and her grandson Kevin Lackman.

Jo was laid to rest at Cochise Memory Gardens in Sierra Vista, Arizona. A memorial service will be held at Canelo Cowboy Church in Elgin, Arizona on Saturday, February 1st beginning at 2 pm.

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