- Date Of Birth: August 10, 1930
- Date Of Death: November 30, 2020
- State: Colorado
JoAnn Smith, passed away peacefully November 30,2020. She was born August 10, 1930 in Grand Island, NE to Clarence and Lydia Smith. Jo or JoJo as she was known to many is survived by her partner William R “Bill” Johns, Ann Gwarjanski (Paul), Curt Hempel and her treasured granddaughters Sarah and Elizabeth Graham.
JoJo attended Grand Island High School and the University of Nebraska where she was a member of Delta Gamma Sorority. After college she was a flight attendant/supervisor for seven years with United Airlines a job that she truly loved. She flew with President Eishenhower, played gin with passengers and got to travel the United States. JoJo was a member of St.
JoJo was a fierce competitor, she beat breast cancer two different times, and currently was battling Parkinson’s. She loved to play gin which she taught her own children then grandchildren. We spent many nights having family gin competitions which she always won. JoJo also loved to play bridge and was in many different bridge groups over the years. She also loved to play golf even though she rarely broke 100. She had been an avid gardener, she loved reading, traveling and after a few drinks was quite the dancer.
JoJo was not your typical mom who knew how to cook and bake, in fact she had questionable skills in the kitchen with only a few good recipes which we ate way too many times. Her grandkids didn’t mind though because that meant fudgesicles and chocolate candy all the time.
JoJo was never known for being soft spoken. She always spoke her mind and told it like it was. She was an honest and independent woman which is one of the many great lessons she passed down to her children and grandchildren. JoJo had a great vocabulary and incorrect grammar was one of her main pet peeves . She still was correcting old and young alike. In later years, she loved four letter words the most. She was able to drop the F bomb on command much to the delight of Curt, Sarah and Elizabeth.
JoJo fondly reminisced about her good friends, good times and wonderful travels. She loved being with her family and her family loved being with her. We will miss you greatly, We love you.
