Mary Josephine Krueger-Savage

Mary Josephine Krueger-Savage (affectionately known as Jo) was born in West Seattle, Washington, on July 12, 1940. Jo was a lifetime native of the Greater Seattle area and attended Denny Junior High School and then graduated from West Seattle High.

She is survived by her husband, Ronald Savage, and her three sons and their wives: Gregory (Jill), Douglas (Lynn), and Jeffrey (Maria), as well as three stepdaughters: Carly, Stephanie, and Fabienne. Jo is also survived by her six grandchildren: Benjamin, Abigail, Beau, Olivia, Clay, and Siena.

Her father, Albert, was a Seattle native and for many years was the manager of the paint department at the Kenworth truck company. Jo and her dad were very close and many of Al's reserved character traits of kindness and modesty carried over to Jo.

Jo's mother, Gigi, was a southern belle and worked in the shipyards and the aircraft factories in Seattle during WWII. She became prominent in the "Rosie the Riveter" society after the war and was featured as a "Calendar Girl" for that movement.

Jo's life had always been close to the comfort of God and for many years she enjoyed the company of friends from many different walks of life at the BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) in Bellevue.

After raising her three boys, Jo embarked upon an amazing journey into the world of art, design, and architecture that was to span a productive period of 30 years.

The early years of her design career started modestly by designing interiors for low-cost living spaces where she was initially recognized by Better Homes and Garden as an upcoming designer. After a number of successful projects, she started to gain recognition within the local architectural community, eventually working hand in hand with many of the top architects and builders in Seattle and Bellevue.

Jo had an incredible sense of design and color which led to the creation of her own distinct design palette, which was recognized as being very modern, leading-edge, and unique, subsequently replicated by many designers in the interior design community. Her business expanded into the high-end retail of exclusive furniture, with stores in Bellevue, Kirkland, and downtown Seattle. Various pieces were designed by Jo herself from her own line of furniture "Jo Krueger Originals" and customized to meet the needs of her clientele, many of whom were professional athletes and coaches in the world of football and baseball.

Professionally, Jo ascended to the top rung of her profession winning multiple awards; eighteen coveted awards both nationally and internationally for interior and architectural designs focused on high-end homes, office spaces, and community development.

Jo continued to win accolades for her prizewinning "Street of Dreams", homes having won First Place in various categories including Best Interior Design (twice), Best Master Suite, and Best of Show! In 1999, she had a clean sweep of all the top awards for interior design and marketing for her amazing "Sundance Lodge".

Jo was a constant inspiration for many upcoming designers and mentored young designers to help them develop their craft. Her opinions were much sought after and was selected to judge interior design competitions across the US and internationally.

Jo's final project was to develop the design specifications for the expansive luxury home development at Suncadia in eastern Washington. Jo created and standardized the color palette and material specifications for all building exteriors including landscaping, roofing, and lighting. Over a period of five years, Jo completed the interior and exterior designs and furnishings for thirty homes for thirty different satisfied clients.

Jo sat on the National Color Board and contributed her experience and knowledge to the selection of each year’s new color standards ranging from clothing, paints, fabrics, and everything in between. Jo's works were published in the Builder Magazine, Seattle Homes and Lifestyle, Better Homes and Gardens, Lifestyles of America (Japan), Luxe Interiors + Design, the Seattle Design Center, and Custom Builder Magazines.

She was also a guest design consultant on "Act-Four", a Japanese TV series focused on interior design and home improvement. Other TV appearances included KIRO Hour NW.

In 1993, as Chairperson of MAME, the marketing arm of Master Builders Association, Jo was dedicated with a special Master of Ceremonies Award, having run the awards gala for ten years.

Jo was also a strong supporter, volunteer, and auction donator to PONCHO, an organization dedicated to supporting the local arts community.

Jo was a donor and advisory board member of the Seattle PNB, Pacific Northwest Ballet 2004-2006.

Jo had an incredible life and career and rewarded everybody with her beauty as a mother, a wife, and a grandmother.

A loving wife of 23 years and a friend to so many people, she will always be remembered for her warm heart and compassionate personality.

She died peacefully at home after experiencing severe memory loss from a long and debilitating accident that resulted in damage to her brain.

Jo was a lady of class and distinction and one of a kind... never to be forgotten!

May God rest her soul.