Josephine Koral, Formerly Of Southampton Dies July 30

Josephine Elizabeth Querns Koral, formerly of Southampton, died on July 30 at the Havens Hospice Care Center in Palatka, Florida. She was 96.

Mrs. Koral, known as “Jo,” was born to James Wesley Querns and Bertha Schwartz Querns in Philadelphia on December 6, 1919. The eldest of seven children and the only girl, she learned early on about homemaking, which would eventually be her pursuit in college, her work experience, and her calling.

She graduated from Beaver College (now Arcadia University) in 1941 with a degree in home economics. She was hired by the Southampton Public Schools where she taught for several years before marrying Edwin Koral of Southampton. Together they built a home and raised four children who survive her, Joanne Hickin and husband Randy of Virginia, Linda Koral of North Carolina, William Koral and wife Louise of Bridgehampton, and Robin Koral Wright and husband Douglas of Massachusetts.

Mrs. Koral aspired to be the ultimate homemaker, making an unpaid career of taking care of her home, family, church, and community. She could be found at the sewing machine, at the drafting table, in the kitchen, behind the scenes at school events, volunteering for duty everywhere she found a need. She sang with the Sweet Adelines, helped to run the youth program at the First Presbyterian Church, filled various offices of the Methodist Church, and became a member of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church. She was physically active as well, decorating and redecorating her home, gardening, riding her bike around town, playing golf at the Southampton Golf Club, swimming, and hosting many parties. She enjoyed it all.

When her children left home, she spent several years as a traveling missionary with Stonecroft Ministries, and eventually decided to spend her retirement years in DeLand, Florida, where she lived until her death, continuing to contribute her great enthusiasm and care for all in her community. Her college yearbook had these words for Jo: “vim, vigor, and vitality,” a perfect picture of her life, right to the very end.

Besides her children, she is survived by one brother, Robert of Ohio; nine grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. One grandchild predeceased her in 2006.

A memorial service was held on August 12 for immediate family and friends at Woodland Towers where she lived. Her ashes will be interred at the Southampton Cemetery.