Josefina "Josie" Mercado, 42, of Kennewick, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on June 1, 2021 after a courageous battle with cancer. Josie was born on October 26, 1978, to Betty Pacheco in Walla Walla, WA. She attended Kennewick High School and Columbia Basin College, where she earned her certificate in Medical Records in Healthcare. Josie had a kind heart and a charismatic personality. To know Josie, was to know a friend. She wanted everyone to be included in the fun and you could always count on her to be taking the pictures. She had a passion for her family. She worked hard for her children, always trying to advance and to learn new skills to make a better life for them. Josie loved action movies and an afternoon BBQ, but most of all, enjoyed spending time with her family. Josie is survived by her long-time boyfriend, Gerardo Candanoza, of Kennewick, her children, Gabriella, Rodrigo, Cruz, and Gerardo Jr., her mother, Betty Pacheco, siblings Juanita LaFonataine (Tony), David Mercado (Michelle) and Adrian Mercado (Jennifer), and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Mauro and Teresa Pacheco, uncle Manuel Pacheco, cousins Francisco Alvarado ll and Gloria Pacheco, and nephew Arie Mercado. There will be a viewing held at Life Tributes Center, formerly Mueller's Chapel of Falls, on June 7th from 4:00-6:00 pm, with a Rosary at 6:00 pm. A mass will be held at St. Joseph's Church in Kennewick, June 8th at 2:00 pm. Immediately following the mass, a burial service will be held at Riverview Heights Cemetery.