Jo was born on October 18, 1943 to parents Albert Maresh and Ethel Elledge in Fort Bragg, California. Growing up she was the youngest of two children, her older brother Guy Maresh is already with the Lord.
After Jo and Guys mother was tragically killed at 23 years of age, the young children were relocated to WA to reside with their aunt and Uncle of Olympia, WA. They were raised by Wilbur and Alice Gibson.
Jo graduated High School in Olympia, WA in 1961 and thereafter attended South Puget Sound College where she studied business from 1961 to 1962.
Jo was hired by the State of Olympia as a Stenographer in 1962 where she worked for 5 years prior to giving birth to her daughter Debbie. She met her husband Gary through a coworker (Nancy Bryson/Fox) at the State Dept.
On November 13 of 1965 she and Gary Bryson were married in Centralia WA. They bought a home in Puyallup, WA where they raised two children of their own: Deborah Bryson, and Ronald Bryson.
Jo made most of her time as a mother and homemaker as well as committing to volunteer work for causes she believed in. Her favorite hobbies included water skiing, salmon fishing, crabbing, clamming, camping, boating, kayaking, volleyball, bicycling, and being a core member of her woman’s bible study group.
Jo loved her family, neighbors, camping friends and her church community. She worked several part time jobs such as the Puyallup Fair and various seasonal positions making wreaths. She enjoyed DIY projects and could usually repair anything that broke. Jo played the piano and organ and loved singing church hymns. She was always up for an adventure. Jo got up on a wake board in her 50s and enjoyed white water rafting trips with her family. She and the family were always planning the next RV trip and their boat would be in tow.
Jo and Gary were known to be generous with the salmon they caught, they would smoke and can them to give away as gifts to their family and friends.
Jo volunteered at Saint Peter’s Hospital for 10 years in admissions. She was passionate about helping people and was recognized by the hospital staff for this passion. She became a grandmother in 1996 when Debbie’s son Alec (Lilcoop) was born, and she would follow him with a video camera for hours on end. She loved being a grandmother. She ended up raising her other 2 grandchildren (RJ and Jacob) until her Dementia progressed.
Jo is survived by her daughter Deborah J Bryson, son Ronald G Bryson, and grandsons: Alec Cooper, Jacob Bland, and RJ Bryson.
She will be laid to rest beside her late husband Gary Bryson at Mills and Mills Memorial Park in Tumwater, Washington.
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