After graduating high school at age 16, Josie pursued a nursing career at St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing in Toronto graduating in 1961. She worked as a nurse in California, New York and eventually Hawaii where she met and married the love of her life, David Woll, who predeceased her.

She is survived by sons: Jason (Rovette), Kieran (Brenda), and daughter Cassilly; grandchildren: Christian, Raquel, David, Kevin, Donna, Donnie, Stephanie and Stephen; great-grandchildren: Serina, Brooke, Ben, Blake and Brody. Her brothers; Jim (Sherry), Ken (Shirley) Callahan and sister Jackie (Bernie) Goyetche of Canada. In addition to her predeceased husband David, Josie was predeceased by her brother Tommy. Nieces and nephews Mary (Brian) and John, Lynn (Stewart) and Vicki (Martin), Christopher, Christina (Greg) and Charles, Patrick and Ryan Callahan. Sister-in laws Elizabeth and Barbara (Hans), brother- in-laws Ed (Dorie) and John (Doris) Woll. Nieces and nephews Daniel (Emily), Hans (Louise), Judy (Marc), Lauren (Darrin), Andrew (Natalie), Jenny (Kris) and Mary (Ed). She is also survived by numerous grandnephews and nieces and a large extended ohana including Nicki Klock and Kristi Ramia. Josie will be missed by the Iijima family, many friends and former colleagues.

After the birth of her daughter with special health care needs, she learned to advocate and improve the healthcare system for other children and their families. Her daughter was enrolled in the early intervention program at the Sultan Easter Seals in Honolulu where Josie volunteered. Upon the retirement of the director, Setsu Furuno, she was asked to fill the position where she worked for 25 years.

During the early 1990’s, she co-founded with her friends Polly Arango and Julie Beckett, Family Voices, a national grassroots organization working on behalf of children with special heath care needs and their families. Josie was instrumental in establishing a Family Voices chapter in every state which recently expanded to the American territories. She also served on the Hawaii Developmental Disabilities Council for many years.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Pat and Bruce Larson, Georgia Cicmil, Valery O’Brien, Bob and Jean Johnson, Bev Muller of Honolulu and Julie Beckett from Cedar Rapids, Iowa for their assistance and caregiving during Josie’s long illness.