Page created by: Kevin Byrne

Born November 7, 1932 in Brooklyn, NY, Jo-Anne was the daughter of Howard James Govern and Veronica Clancy Govern and was raised in Reading, PA. She graduated from Marquette University with a degree in Journalism after which she began a long, rewarding career with United Press International covering the Midwest. Jo had a passion for travel. Far-flung destinations were as dear to her as places closer to home. From the Apostle Islands to Transylvania, she indulged her curiosity. Photography, collecting Inuit soapstone, as well as burying her nose in a murder mystery were among her many interests. She cherished her lifelong friendships, continuing to send letters and cards long after the fashion turned to email. Her innate intelligence, courage and strength enriched her life and the lives of those who loved her. She was diagnosed with PK in 2011 but likely was suffering its debilitating effects before that. Once she was in nursing care, she continued to journal jotting down pages of increasingly smaller lettering (micrographia), making it impossible to read what she was writing under her by-line. She also experienced auditory and visual hallucinations. Especially difficult for her was the losing her mobility and her voice since she had places to go, strong opinions and many interests to share. Her many friends and family members miss her dearly.