Jo Anne Kellaway

Jo Anne led an extraordinary life. Born on the eve of the Great Depression in Philadelphia, the only daughter of John (Giovanni) A. Barbieri, Sr. and Edna Mary Kearney, she grew up with her three brothers, Edward, John A. Jr., and Vincent in a row house on Hazel Avenue. Always eager to contribute to the family and never afraid to bend the rules a little, when she was twelve she doctored her birth certificate to secure her first real job, serving lunch at the Woolworth’s counter. Mom’s love of the beach and the ocean were in her blood. In her early years she spent many happy days at the Jersey shore playing and helping out at the family fish market in Sea Isle City. Mom graduated from West Catholic Girls High School in 1947.

She met and, in 1958, married the love of her life, Peter Kellaway, renowned neurophysiologist and they made their home in Houston. Together they explored the world, made many dear friends, and lovingly raised their five children. There could not have been a better mother to Judianne, David, Kevin, Christina and Jaime, and later in life, no better mother-in-law to Doug, LaurieAnn, and Wolf. She taught us by example how to be kind and accepting, how to love life, how to have fun and how to face adversity with courage and dignity. Most of all, she taught us the importance of family. Her grandchildren (Sam, Jack, Elycia, James, Chilli, Katie and Seamus) and great-grandchildren (Adalia, Madden and Braden) were the light of her life.

Her friends will tell you there was never a more beloved friend than Jo. She accepted everyone with kindness and respect and recognized the very best in each. She rejoiced in their joys and shared in their sorrows. Everyone was family to Mom.

She was fearless, and faced the challenges in her life with strength and positivity. She was an elegant lady who loved adventure and wore blue jeans and boots or silk and stilettos with equal authenticity and aplomb.

An avid diver, a skilled underwater photographer, an accomplished horsewoman and a Scrabble Grand Master, there was rarely a time when Mom was idle. She was always ready to dance and share a glass of wine (or the occasional shot of icy vodka). She will be missed by so many. 89 years of a life well-lived.

All are welcome to join us to share remembrances during a memorial reception and celebration of our mother, your friend and loved one, from five o’clock in the afternoon until eight o’clock in the evening on Friday, the 26th of October, in the grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston, following a recitation of the Holy Rosary which is to commence at half-past four o’clock in the adjacent parlor.

A Memorial Mass and Celebration of Life is to be offered at nine o’clock in the morning on her 89th birthday, Saturday, the 27th of October, at St. Anne Catholic Church, 2140 Westheimer Road in Houston; where the Rev. Al Sinasac, C.S.B., Pastor, is to serve as celebrant.

In lieu of customary remembrances, we know Mom would love for you to consider a memorial donation to the Peter Kellaway PhD Research Endowment, payable to Baylor College of Medicine, mailed c/o Office of Institutional Advancement, MSC # 800, P.O. Box 4976, Houston, TX 77210 (www.bcm.edu/giving); St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org/donate); or to the charity of your choice.