Jo Ann Wood was the firstborn daughter of Mary and Joseph DiRienzo. She was always so proud to tell the story of being born on Christmas Day in the township of Mt. Holly, New Jersey, to Joseph and Mary on December 25, 1942. To top off her story with a bit of humor, as usual, she never left out the part about showing up on her ass because she came in breech. Needless to say, it sums up her humor and of course the reasoning behind Christmas being her favorite season.
Jo Ann passed away peacefully on July 19, 2015 at the age of 72, after a long and arduous struggle with diabetes.
Jo Ann lived in New Jersey until she was about 7 years old. Some of her fondest memories she shared through the years were recalled from her childhood. New Jersey is a place that was always near and dear to her heart. A place with lots of family that she truly loved and missed until the end… Jo Ann always stayed connected and kept everyone updated with the happenings of family back east. She loved them all so very much.
Joe and Mary moved to Indiana in 1949. JoAnn graduated from Broad Ripple High School in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1961. Her yearbook was signed by quite a few friends who described her as a “real swell gal with a neat personality” “a wonderful girl with heaps of personality and a wonderful smile” “a sweet girl with a wonderful sense of humor” “a shrimp, who someday will grow” “and “a friend who makes them laugh so hard that their sides hurt” to share a few. Sounds like some things never changed.
It was in 1961, that Joe sought his dream of owning a business in San Diego. He and Mary moved all 5 children to the west coast where each of them would eventually settle with families of their own.
Jo Ann met and married Frank Beck, a Ramona boy, in May of 1962. They headed off to England to follow Frank’s career with the Air Force. Terri Lynn was born in England the following May, in 1963.
Back in the states, Frank and Jo Ann settled into a house on Robert Street in Chula Vista. Kristina Marie was born in September, 1967. They moved to Mariposa Ct. in 1970 and by 1972, they had purchased a home in Bonita. Unfortunately, they divorced but JoAnn stayed and continued to live in that same home until her passing.
JoAnn married Bill Wood in 1974. She and Bill were married for almost 40 years before he passed away in February, 2013. Bill’s two daughters, Renee and Michelle, moved in for many years, creating a Brady Bunch-like houseful with lots of girls! Even the dogs were female. Did I mention JoAnn had lots of dogs through the years? She had a liking for Shelties and then Bichon’s, with a few mutts, goats and horses in between.
All the girls grew up and Jo Ann became a proud grandma, many times over. Terri with Christopher, Kris with Tori, Tatum and Trevor, Renee with Brandon, Chad, Garrett and Tyler and Michelle with Connor. Once Facebook came around, she really stayed connected, tagging, liking and commenting and always ending with a sweet “love ya”
JoAnn began working at Pacific Bell before it was AT&T. This was the career she would maintain and move up in until the day she retired in the mid-80’s. Jo Ann’s work ethic and managerial skills were admired by many. It was with great pride that her kids could walk in and be the daughter of Jo Ann, the store manager. She was loved by co-workers and employees. We always knew they were extended family and that she truly enjoyed her job. Some of her lifelong friends, such as Roz, Glenna and Debra, were found through Pacific Bell and AT&T. Fun friendships filled with love and laughter that you couldn’t help but love to watch from afar. JoAnn retired from AT&T, but wasn’t ready to give up working entirely, later she worked for Remedy Temp Agency as well as Glen Abbey.
During her busy career years, JoAnn found time to have fun and give back as well. She loved to craft things and participate in Bonita Fest activities. She enjoyed catering parties and she was a proud member of Bonita Business Professional Association and Soroptimist International, even presiding as President from 1982 to 1983.
Family and friends will recall JoAnn as a woman of many talents, most notably, cooking. She hosted small family dinners through the years and was well known for specific dishes that she shared when invited as a guest. Shrimp cocktail, deviled eggs, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes and apples, and baked beans were some of her staples. She was a woman of tradition as well. Many Christmas seasons saw the family enjoying Eggs Benedict or heading out for Christmas Tea. Like her parents, any excuse for tea with family was a good excuse. She even served iced tea every night at dinner!
JoAnn was considered, “the life of the party” on many occasions. She had a hearty laugh and a knack for telling jokes. It was always fun to see her enjoying the things that made her happy. Whether listening to Elvis Presley (the reason birthdays 50 and 60 were dedicated to him) sitting at a slot machine in Vegas or Barona, taking folks to Disneyland, watching the Chargers or the Padres, planning menus and celebrating with family and friends or even playing Facebook games, JoAnn did it with gusto and enjoyed every minute. She had an overall good attitude and sense of humor even when things were bleak. Pretending to “go to work” for dialysis 3 times a week was just one example of her positive attitude.
JoAnn will be missed by so many in so many different ways. However she positively influenced, impacted or made you smile while she was with us is how her daughters pray that you remember her. Whether you knew her very well or you barely knew her at all…it’s a pleasure to have the connections because of her. We will you miss you dearly, Mom....
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