Jo Ann Williamson

Jo Ann Williamson, age 80, passed away peacefully on November 2 after a short illness. She is survived by her sister, Janet Wallace (R.Byron) of Shaker Heights, OH, her niece, Dr. Jennifer Wallace of Cheverly, MD, her nephews, Christopher Wallace (Kat Norman) of Atlanta, GA, Matthew Wallace (Dr. Lauren Kerr) of Bay Village, OH, five grandnieces and nephews and her beloved cats, Sammy and Willie. Jo Ann was born in Washington DC to Cmdr. Joseph W. Williamson and Opal B. Williamson. As her father was transferred, she lived in several different cities, finally completing high school in Seattle, WA. She went on to the University of Colorado , graduating in History and later received an MLS from the University of Washington. She had a 30 year career as an archivist with the National Archives. It began with a stint at the Eisenhower Library in Abilene, KS that was followed by work on the Nixon Planning Staff, the San Francisco regional archives, and in Washington DC, the Records Declassification Division, the Military Reference Branch and as supervisor of the Research Rooms. She retired in 2001. U.S. History, especially the Civil War, and Genealogy were Jo Ann’s passions. She compiled an exhaustive history of her family which entailed many trips to cemeteries across the Midwest with her sister. She was a proud member of the Kate Waller Barrett Chapter of the DAR. Jo Ann also loved animals, especially cats. She supported numerous animal refuges, PETA and the ASPCA. Services will be private in Seattle WA.