The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

Josie June Proctor, born on April 5, 1980, in Umatilla, Oregon, passed away at age 43 on January 31, 2024, at her home in Sisters, Oregon. Josie grew up in Heppner, Oregon.

At an early age, Josie loved the outdoors. From the time she was a toddler, she enjoyed going fishing with her dad, Mike, near their home in La Grande, Oregon.

In elementary school, Josie was known to save her allowance for outdoor gear. One of her first big purchases was a sling shot, which she often used to shoot stink bugs with BBs in the pasture outside her house. She was especially proud to buy herself a Huffy brand light purple mountain bike at Coast to Coast in Heppner. She spent hours riding her bike around town, with friends, and in the warehouse of the family business, Green Feed and Seed in Heppner. Josie's passion for biking continued throughout her entire life.

Josie spent many hours after school and on weekends at Green Feed and Seed while growing up. She and her siblings liked to design in their dad's leather shop. Josie often helped with the plants in the store nursery, which became a passion for her as she grew up.

Josie was an active member in Morrow County 4-H. In 4th grade, she raised a bottle fed bummer lamb named "Whitey" given to her by her 4-H leader Sue Evans. Josie took Whitey to fair that summer as her market lamb, she was a member of the Ewes R Us 4-H sheep club. Her hard work and kindness to others earned her the Becky Smith Memorial Award, which was an honor as it was named in memory of her cousin. Josie also participated in 4-H cooking for many years, as a member of "The Munchers" Cooking Club, led by her mom, Kay Proctor.

Josie was active in FFA, earning the Greenhand of the Year award at Heppner High School. This award hangs proudly in Josie's garden shed today. Serving as FFA President her senior year, her project was building and creating perennial test gardens in front of the feed store's greenhouse.

Josie spent many summers at the Willow Creek Water Park in Heppner, Oregon. She started as a lifeguard, teaching swim lessons, and eventually helped manage the pool. Her commitment to swimming and teaching lessons went beyond her love of the water. She often said it was rewarding knowing she was teaching children skills that would be lifelong. Her patience, creativity, spunk and sense of humor served her well as a kids' swim instructor. Josie's legacy includes a lifetime of teaching kids how to swim, which was important to her.

Josie enjoyed driving the family 1966 Mustang. She had some fun in that car. But, Josie wanted something of her own. She purchased herself a single cab, blue, two-wheel drive Chevy pickup from Wright Chevrolet in Fossil. She loved that pickup and was proud to buy it for herself. One of her favorite memories was driving it to the mountains to stay at Ditch Creek cabin, near Penland Lake, with friends.

In the fall of her senior year, Josie was crowned homecoming queen at halftime of a crowded football game. This came as a surprise to her, but not to her friends and family as she was a friend to and liked by all.

After graduating in 1998 and earning several nice scholarships, Josie headed to Blue Mountain Community College in Pendleton. One year there, one year at Oregon Institute of Technology in Klamath Falls, then on to earning her Associate Degree at Mount Hood Community College in Gresham, Oregon. Portland State University was next, earning her Bachelor's Degree in Anthropology.

Josie met her husband, Josh Keyes, on a ski trip at Mount Whistler, BC, in 2003. The two both lived in Portland at the time. Josie and Josh married in 2006 on the beach of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

In 2005, Josie was joined by her sister Julie as a roommate and fellow student at Portland State. Josie graduated Portland State University in 2006 with a Bachelor's in Anthropology. Josie adopted her first dog, Otis, around this time. The two shared many adventures hiking and exploring together.

In 2009, Josie and Josh welcomed their oldest daughter Clover, while living in Portland. Josie loved being a mom. Clover joined her on many outdoor adventures, including hiking in the Columbia River Gorge to waterfalls and riding behind Josie in a little bike trailer through Portland.

Josie, Josh, and Clover moved to Sisters in 2013. They purchased property next to her in-laws, Tom and Peggy Rheuben. She welcomed their second daughter, Canyon Spring, in 2016. Over the years, Josie's daughters wore walking paths from their door to their grandparents' door, as they walked back and forth daily. Josie felt blessed to live where she not only had a beautiful view of the Three Sisters mountains, but was also surrounded by wonderful friends.

Josie began to develop their property to farm as a garden and founded Clover Canyon Farms in 2017. As owner and operator, Josie sold her organic produce at local markets and through her weekly crop shares. Canyon could often be found in the garden, helping her mom. She shares her mom's love for the garden.

Josie spent many winters working and skiing at Hoodoo. She loved the people she worked with and was so proud of her daughter Clover, who started to work for Hoodoo this winter season. On Josie's last drive to visit Hoodoo in January, she was tickled to hear her past boss offering her daughter Canyon a job in the future too.

Josie could be found spending her spare time camping, skiing, or in the mountains as an avid mushroom hunter. She taught her girls to leave the first mushroom found of the season unharvested as a thank you and respect to the earth.

In 2023, Josie entered some of her farm produce in the Deschutes County Fair and won big. She was very excited and proud. Josie was also proud to watch Clover raise and show 4-H market lambs at Fair. At her very sickest, she was outside helping Canyon plant her garlic for next year's fair entry. She prioritized her girls - she was a beautiful and dedicated mom.

Near the end of her days, Josie sent a text that said "My Favs." Her family asks you to think of Josie as you encounter or experience her faves. May we all live with her zest for life.

Josie fought hard and became her own advocate for her battles against breast cancer and squamas cell carcinoma.

Her message to all regarding medical issues that you don't feel heard on is BE LOUD, BE PERSISTENT, Believe in yourself and LISTEN TO YOUR BODY.

Surviving family members include her daughters and lights of her life Penelope Clover, 15 years old, and Canyon Spring, 7 years old; husband, Josh Keyes; parents, Mike and Kay Proctor; sister, Julie Proctor Baker (husband Matt, children Callahan, Duke, Emersen); in-laws Tom and Peggy Rheuben; brother-in-law Owen Moore (wife Shannon, children Marlin and Opal); sister-in-law Jen Rheuben; brother-in-laws Tasman Rheuben and Jackson Rheuben; and many beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Josie was proceeded in death by brother Roy Proctor; grandparents Juanita and Rocky (LeRoy) Proctor; grandparents Walter and Lucille Kostecka; uncle Clarence Proctor; and cousin Rebecca "Becky" Smith.

A memorial mass will be held on Friday, February 23, 2024, at 11 a.m., at St. Edward the Martyr Catholic Church in Sisters, Oregon, followed by a memorial luncheon at the parish hall.

Donations in memory of Josie can be made to Saving Grace, 1004 NW Milwaukee Ave., Ste. 100, Bend, OR 97703.

Isaiah 41:13 - For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, "Fear not, I am the one who helps you."