Jo-Anne enjoyed a full life. Born in Waterloo, Ontario and raised in Lindsay, Ontario, Jo came west to Jasper in 1977. Jo was immediately taken with the mountains and the wide open spaces, revelling in hiking, cross-country skiing, and wildlife.
Jo re-united with her high school sweetheart Vaughan, and moved to the Bulkley Valley in 1980, first in Topley, then Smithers, and finally making Telkwa home from 1987 to 2007. Raising three boys in the Valley was the most rewarding of her many accomplishments.
Jo-Anne loved people and helping others came naturally. She was devoted to her work with Welcome Wagon, Young Moms, Smithers Community Services, and Positive Living Northwest. She loved her clients and was a keen advocate for those in need. She made a difference in many lives, leaving her mark on the community and in many hearts. Jo was a doula, again being with young moms. She was blessed to be present at her granddaughter鈥檚 birth.
Jo loved history. She was active with the Telkwa Museum Society. She was known as 鈥渢he Antique Lady鈥� as owner and operator of Aldermere Antiques in Telkwa from 1998 to 2006 with Vaughan.
Their move to Kamloops in 2007 brought many new experiences, including the birth of granddaughter Autumn in 2013.
Telkwa will always be 鈥榟ome鈥� for Jo. Her physical remains will be interred in Telkwa Cemetery alongside son Wesley and father Jack.
Jo is survived by her husband Vaughan; sons Jesse and Lee (Wesley predeceased); granddaughter Autumn; mother Edna Phair, brothers John, Jim, and Doug; sisters-in-law Leslie deGraaf and Marnie Phair; nieces Brittany, Robin, Elizabeth, and Hannah; nephews Aaron, Kameron, Matthew, and Julian; as well as aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends and 鈥榗hosen family鈥�.
Share our celebration of Jo鈥檚 life on Saturday June 21 at the Telkwa Hall, in Telkwa, BC, starting at 2 pm.
Jo is sorely missed, and will be loved forever.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Positive Living North (to the meal program in Smithers), or to the Kamloops Hospice Association (Marjorie Snowden Willoughby Hospice Home).