Jossie (Lindahl) Jahn

Newburyport, MA - Jossie Jahn passed away on February 13, 2023, at the age of 91 at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston, MA. She was born May 6, 1931, the oldest of three daughters to Axel and Margit Lindahl in Gothenburg, Sweden. Axel was a Sea Captain with the Swedish American Line of the Brostrom Shipping Group in Gothenburg. As a child and young lady, Jossie often accompanied her father on his voyages, stopping at many European ports from the Baltic to the Mediterranean Sea (even travelling as far as North and South America). It was these trips that first sparked her interest in seeing the world.

Jossie graduated from the Highschool of Nya Elementar of Gothenburg in 1949. In 1953 she received a degree in Physical Therapy at the Sydsvenska Gymnastik Institutet, an affiliate of the University of Lund, Sweden.

As a physical therapist Jossie worked in Sweden and in Oslo, Norway before emigrating to the USA in 1956. She worked at hospitals in Morristown, NJ, White Plains, NY and Portchester, NY; and as a volunteer at organizations benefitting handicapped children. She also worked as a Visitor’s Guide at the headquarters of the United Nations in New York City.

Jossie married Tom F Jahn (born Stockholm, Sweden 1929) in the Lutheran Church of Gustavos Adolphus in New York City on April 18, 1958. Their loving relationship lasted almost 67 years until Jossie’s passing. They had met in New York City in 1956 and were soon engaged. After marrying they moved to Westchester County, NY, where their four sons; Peter, Carl, Anders and Niklas were born. Eventually, they made their home in the Shore Acres neighborhood of Mamaroneck, NY where they lived for many years until moving to Redding CT in 1977. Later, Jossie and Tom lived in Bedford, NH and Davis, CA before retiring to Newburyport, MA 2003.

Jossie choose to forgo her career in physical therapy to pursue her greatest talents; being a homemaker and a mother to her four boys. She, with her husband, created a most loving environment. While managing the household with a firm hand, she strove to raise the boys with kindness, generosity and devotion. She was proud of the result.

Jossie’s homes were full of life, flowers and vibrant colors, marrying classic Swedish style with the many faceted styles of her new American Homeland. She participated fully in the life of her community. She was a vivacious, enthusiastic and caring woman, which won her a huge circle of life-long and loyal friends, many of whom survive her and are missing her now.

Jossie had many interests and talents. She was an avid gardener. The gardens of her homes always featured an array of perennials blooming in all growing seasons. Her interests spanned the visual as well as the performing Arts. Her enthusiasm for music covered the Classical and jazz genres, current popular music and (particularly) tunes of her Swedish heritage. Music was to be heard all the time in her home.

She always loved physical activity; sailing in her younger days in Sweden; and tennis and skiing were sports she did not give up until well in to her 80ties. She cherished her eight Grand Children, Viveka, Charlotte, Annika, Oscar, Tomas, Sigrid, Carolyn and Stella, feeling very close to them, avidly keeping up with their lives till her passing.

Jossie is survived by her Husband Tom, her four sons, and her daughters-in-law, Kathy, Petra, Ali and Kristin, and her Grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Viveca Falkman, Warren, RI, and by many nieces and nephews and their families in USA, Sweden and Europe. She will be sadly missed.

A private Memorial Service will be held in April. The Twomey, LeBlanc, & Conte Funeral Home 193 High St. Newburyport, MA 01950 is assisting Mrs. Jahn’s family with her arrangements.

To offer online condolences please visit www.tlcfuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jossie (Lindahl) Jahn, please visit our floral store.