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Josephine Benavente Taitano was born in Dededo, Guam on August 1, 1943, to her parents Jesus Guerrero Benavente and Simplicia Cruz Benavente. Josephine, who was lovingly known as “Ofen,” was the third oldest of 16 children. Josephine married Robert Phillip Taitano in 1963 and together they shared five children: Joseph Kenneth, Cynthia Louise, Mark Phillip, William Franklin, and Rodney David. In 1972, Josephine and her children moved, with the help of her mother, to Carson, California. She became an assembler in the optics industry in her early years and eventually worked her way to becoming a caregiver, working for Home Instead until her health left her unable to continue working. In her spare time, she loved gambling and playing bingo with her bingo buddies (you know who you are). She was also a seamstress and enjoyed sewing sundresses for her granddaughters, swim trunks/shorts for her grandsons. Josephine was also an amazing cook with Chamorro red rice and shrimp patties as her specialties. On June 16, 2023, at her daughter’s home in Brea, California, Josephine passed away peacefully in her sleep after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Josephine was a strong, dedicated, and hardworking single mother as well as a loving daughter, sister, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Josephine is welcomed into heaven by her oldest son, Joseph Kenneth, her grandson Valentino Christian, and great-granddaughter Liliana Josephine. She is survived by her children: Cindy & Tom Hoover, Mark & Lupita Taitano, Bill Taitano, and Rodney Taitano; her daughter-in-law June Delgado; her grandchildren: Joseph Kenneth Taitano, Tanaiyia Taitano, Kiana & Dashiell Tyler, Kiara Taitano, Marc Taitano, Cairo & Mike Schmitt, Shea & Ian Lafferty, Kaycee Hoover, Riley & Michael Maple, Tommy Hoover, Angelina Taitano, CJ & Troy Casey, Billy Taitano, Cera & Garrett Rias, Jeremiah & Justyne Taitano, and Kaya Taitano; and her great-grandchildren: Jameson, Spencer, Sage, Zachary, Oliver, Rowan, Emerson, Chandler, Kayden, Dakota, Cruz, Addison, and Mya. Josephine will be laid to rest on Saturday, July 1, 2023, at Memory Garden Memorial Park & Mortuary in Brea, California.

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Josephine Benavente Taitano

August 1, 1943 - June 16, 2023