Emma Jean Safley

Long time Bridgeport resident Jean Safley passed away peacefully on June 2, 2011. Jean was born Emma Jean Raposa on February 16, 1917. Her parents, Eugene Raposa and Julia Borges Raposa, had emigrated from the Azores Islands to America. Her parents were killed in an automobile accident along with her little niece in 1932. Jean was only 14 years old. Her brother, Alvin Borges, helped her finish High School and Beauty College. She worked as a beautician in Chico, California and then in San Rafael. During World War II she volunteered as a Red Cross Grey Lady at the Hamilton Air Force Base and managed the beauty shop there where servicemen were recovering. She met her first husband James Blackwood there. They were married only nine months when she received word he had been shot down over Orleans, France. She moved to Caracas, Venezuela where she stayed for several years. Upon her return she met and married Don Safley, a gentleman farmer from Tipton, Iowa on June 3, 1950. They welcomed a son, Don David in 1952 and lived in Iowa until the late 60\u0027s. They moved to Bridgeport where Don David completed High School. Jean was devoted to her family and her church, The Immaculate Conception. Jean had many friends in the community and was known for her kindness and generosity. She was a wonderful cook. Preceding her in death, besides her parents and niece were her husband Don Safley, son Don David Safley, grandson Gentry Safley, brother Gene Raposa, (half brothers and sister) Alvin Borges, Irvin Borges, Carl Borges, and Ilda Fisk. She is survived by her two nieces, Shari Edwards and Carole Fisk. Great-nephews Chris Carlile, Tim Temple, San Edwards and Great-niece Julie Slobodnik. Services will be held on Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at Westcott Funeral Home in Cottonwood at 9:30am. Burial will follow at All Souls Cemetery in Cottonwood. An online guestbook is available to sign at www.westcottfuneralhome.com