About Jo Anne

Jo Anne had a passion for the arts which she shared with her family. Shortly after arriving in Vancouver, she joined the Greater Vancouver Weavers and Spinners Guild, where she developed a talent for fiber arts. Her home -- filled with looms, spinning wheels, dyeing, batiking and Japanese stamps -- was a regular meeting place for guild members. We are grateful to have a lasting memory of Jo Anne through the beautiful wall hangings, woven upholstery, and knit and woven clothing that fill her home.

 

Jo Anne enjoyed playing the piano and had a beautiful singing voice. She and her husband attended plays and chamber music concerts for many years. They enjoyed listening to classical music together until the final days of Jo Anne’s life.

Jo Anne had a varied career. She was a lifeguard as a teen, served lobster and clam chowder as a university student, and taught undergraduate English after completing her master’s degree. While she put her career on hold to raise her children, after a brief stint in a fiber arts store, Jo Anne returned to university to obtain her teacher’s certificate. She spent the final years of her career as an English teacher at New Westminster Secondary School, where through her patience and commitment, she won the trust of even her most reluctant students.

Jo Anne touched everyone with her kindness, teaching the importance of the well-being of others. This kind and caring nature helped Jo Anne to develop strong relationships with many people during her life. Moving frequently during her first years in Vancouver, Jo Anne was quick to establish friendships with new neighbours. Her home and yard was always the gathering place for many of the neighbourhood children, who knew she would make them feel welcome. She made neighbourhood children at home in the kitchen as well, inviting them to pull toffee, fry donuts or boil bagels. Jo Anne continued to extend this hospitality to her children’s friends throughout their adult life.

 

Jo Anne was an excellent cook who experimented with vegetarian cooking well before it became popular. The house was often filled with aromas of pizza or homemade bread, just a few of her specialties.