Jo Anne Rose Dennison

Jo Anne Rose Dennison (Thomas) was welcomed by God’s Grace on Feb 20, 2024, after a decade-long tormenting battle with Alzheimer's Disease. Mom, you won! Find your family and your heavenly father they have been waiting for you with open arms. You have been looking for them for so long.

Jo Anne was born to parents who were able to keep up her enthusiasm and create good times despite the aftermath of the depression. Jo Anne was born into a quint family residing in German Village (St Mary’s), to Ferdinand Joseph Thomas and Elizabeth Thomas (Fiorentino) and one older and adored sibling, Emma Jean Thomas (Fehr). Despite being from such a small frugal family herself, Jo Anne’s Catholic ideals pushed her to desire a larger family and her husband took on wedding vows to support those ideations. They raised 7 children Robert, Jr (deceased), Michael, Sharon, Mary, John, Anne Marie and Natalie and she has been blessed to see ALL 7 of her own children & 12+ grandchildren/great-grandchildren grow(ing) into adulthood to live out their own life stories.

Jo Anne has had a life full of passions: She thoroughly enjoyed the consumerism days of the 1980/90’s. She was good at it! It brought her great happiness to find a “good deal”, whether it be a wicker basket or a bad-arse car. She was an avid reader of mysteries, loved Rock and Roll music, loved to sing and chew gum (but not at the same time). She enjoyed riding around the city talking of dreams and hopes. Many of her dreams and hopes came to fruition with their dedication and hard work. Jo Anne enjoyed crosswords, knitting/crocheting, creating, sewing, conversing and being a wife. She had the overt desire to care for everyone and she always thought of herself last. She juggled all of this; while simultaneously being an awesome mother to us and the rest of the neighborhood. There was hardly a time she put her own needs or thoughts above others.

She was an original entrepreneur, hard-working, businesswoman. Cordial yet very tough when she felt slighted. She loved the new technology that would come out over the decades: TI99 – the Internet/windows, laptops, touchscreen tablets and especially playing Words with Friends, FreeCell and Solitaire games with friends and others across the world. She always enjoyed the good chuckles aroused from Jerry Seinfeld and The Carol Burnett Shows and was a lifetime supporter of the Ohio and Palace Theaters. Jesus Christ Superstar was one of many performances she would never missed. Jo Anne was a rare kind person who liked to be mingling within the community and not so much on a couch. Her life spirit will be missed. I'll hope to carry on and pass on her flame to anyone who will authentically accept it.

Jo Anne and her husband Robert Dennison were married for 50 years. They were best friends and teenage sweethearts. As they matured together, they were solely instrumental in forming and being active in the grassroots origination of The Italian Village Society, The Short North Association, The Doo Dah Parade, The Community Festival (COMFEST) and neighborhood watch blocks and the Curbside Recycling program. Without their care, and pushing back against gentrification, this area of town may not have been what it has become today. These organizations morphed, grew and will continue to grow. Jo Anne's (Robert) legacy will continually live on through these events forever to come.

The tables had turned and that grotesque Mr. Alzheimer’s snuck his way into your brain and only your soul could battle against his ferocious attacks. He made you feel confused, unsure, anxious and scared at times. But he was just tricking you. You had fighters on your side and we’ve kept you safe, assured and calm and kept that bully at bay. WE HAVE ALWAYS WANTED AND CARED FOR YOU AND YOU HAVE CERTAINLY NEVER APPEARED DIFFERENT TO US. Mr. Alzheimer’s, the bully who uninvitedly took over your brain, is the thoughtless one! Mr. Alzheimer’s they are on to you and your days are numbered.

Know that your protective companion, Isabelle, never left your side, she watched over you and brought you much comfort ON THOSE DAYS YOU FELT DEFEATED. We love you and you will be missed terribly by all whom you touched through the years. RIP MOTHER WE LOVE YOU AND WILL BE MISSED TO ETERNITY.

Visitation will be held 10:30-11:30 am, Monday, February 26, 2024 at the SCHOEDINGER FUNERAL HOME, 4242 Hoover Road, Grove City, Ohio 43122 where service will immediately follow. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery.

Contributions to Joanne’s memory should go to whatever makes this world a better place!