JoEllen Marie North

JoEllen Marie North passed away on November 11, 2022 at the age of 44 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. But her profound love of life didn’t come to an end with her passing. JoEllen undeniably touched loved ones and friends who will best honor her legacy by living their lives to the fullest.

The simple pleasures in life brought great joy to JoEllen. All along her constant path of developing independence, Jo had an uncanny ability to find happiness in her daily activities and in the simplest pleasures of life. She relished time with her close friends immeasurably. In addition, both her sweet and caring personality and her constant dedication to achieving life goals were contagious to everyone she met. JoEllen also loved music and dance, having studied ballet as a child. Jo had a passion for learning, receiving an AA from DeAnza College in Liberal Arts. And, of course, JoEllen’s birds were her children, and she was an excellent parent.

More than anything else, JoEllen’s greatest discovery was Catholicism. Somewhere around thirty, Jo “came home” spiritually. This commitment to the Lord and her belief in the soul’s afterlife transformed her thinking and behavior. Later, as the specter of Death enveloped her, JoEllen continued to exhibit an extraordinarily positive attitude, saying that her “soul was happy.” And so it is that “She was planted on Earth to bloom in heaven” because “Love never dies.”

A visitation for JoEllen will be held Friday, December 9, 2022 at 10:00 AM at Lima Family Santa Clara Mortuary, 466 North Winchester Blvd, Santa Clara, CA 95050, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in JoEllen's memory may be made to Hospice of the Valley, https://www.hov.org/donate/donate-now/.