"Dear Sean, Melissa, Caitlin and Ryan, So sorry for your loss of such a special person. I always enjoyed seeing Jo Ann. She was a very Warm hearted lady. Always had a big smile on her Face and happy to see us. I will miss seeing her. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. It is not easy to Lose someone so close and special to us. The good Thing is we have the memories of our loved ones Forever. As time goes by we our comforted by the Memories of all those good times we shared together. She will always have a special place in the heart of Those she loved and those who loved her. Our love goes out to you. Hugs, Tom and Rita "
In loving memory of
Jo Ann Harris
April 4, 1934 - March 14, 2013
Anyone who crossed Jo Ann Harris' path felt the instant warmth of her friendship and love. She selflessly gave to her family and friends and was always genuinely interested in others. She thoroughly enriched the lives of everyone who knew her with her unending kindness and generosity. The world will not be the same without Jo Ann; her loved ones, especially her children, can only attempt to make up for the loss by carrying on the values of love, honesty, and strength she instilled in them.
Jo Ann was born in Peru, Illinois in 1934 to Frank Otto and Mayme Hoffman. Her mother died when she was five, leaving her devoted father to raise her. She graduated from LaSalle-Peru Township High School, where she excelled in all subjects, especially shorthand, bookkeeping, and choir. The DAR honored her with a good citizenship award, and she performed in the cast of the Sweetheart's Operetta.
Jo Ann moved to Pomona, California with first husband, Robert Donnelly, where she raised three children: Sean, Lynn, and Laura. She met her second husband, Donald Curran, when she was a secretary at Cal Poly University, Pomona, where she worked for more than 20 years. She and Don moved to Claremont, California in 1970. Don helped raise her three children, and Jo Ann warmly embraced Don's children, Diane and Steve. She was actively involved at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, singing in the choir and giving guitar lessons to children after school.
After Don's death, Jo Ann met Roy Harris. They married in 1992 and several years later moved to Issaquah, Washington to be near Sean, his wife, Melissa, and grandchildren, Caitlin and Ryan. She and Roy traveled frequently back to Southern California. She beamed in the front row of Lynn's wedding to Dean Serwin, danced at Laura's wedding to Danny Allen, and cuddled Lynn's newborn twins, Liam and Rachel when they were born in 2002. Jo Ann's life ended just shy of meeting her new granddaughter, Lucy Jo Ann, due in August 2013 to Laura and Danny.
Jo Ann was a "smile millionaire." She always had a kind word for everyone, and she lit up whenever she saw any of her family members. Jo Ann had multiple sclerosis, and in most recent years, was confined to a wheelchair, yet she never complained or wallowed. Instead, she approached every challenge, every change, and every new obstacle with tenacity, resilience, and a can-do spirit that inspired everyone.
She died peacefully with her whole family by her side, bolstered by their enduring love. Her family knows that somewhere, some way, she continues to smile and watch over them.
Tributes
"Sean,Lynn and Laura, please accept my deepest sympathy. Your mom and I were best friends during grade school, high school and later in life. We visited in California several times. She came to my house when she was in Illinois for class reunions. She had many friends who are now saddened by the news of her death. I will pass the information to them since some want to donate to MS in her name. You will be in my prayers.Lena"