Jo Ann Pagonis, our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother fell asleep in the Lord on Monday, September 6, 2021. She was 89 years young. Jo Ann was the only child of Otto Monroe Pippin and Aileen Bordwine, born in Shawnee, OK on June 8, 1932. She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband Michael “Mike” Pagonis, son Mark Pagonis, grandson Makarios Kostiuk, and daughter-in-law Susan Pagonis. Jo Ann is survived by children: John M. Pagonis, Gregory G. M. Pagonis, and Gina M. Kostiuk, grandchildren: Michael J. Pagonis and wife Mysti, William “Billy” Pagonis, Alexis Wilmeth and husband Casey, Michael M. Pagonis and wife Sarah, Markella M. Pagonis, Joannah S. Pagonis, Gabriel M. Pagonis, Gavin T. Pagonis, Melissa M. Pagonis and Adam Mischke, Michael A. Kostiuk, Marc A. Kostiuk and wife Crystal, great-grandchildren: Luke, Maddy, and Ella Pagonis, Addy, Demitri and Elijah Pagonis, Kallista Wilmeth, Peter, Stephen and Evyenia Pagonis, Thalia Cline, Joey Coyle, Cora Mischke, and is survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and godchildren.
In 1952, after graduating from Capitol Hill High School, Jo Ann married the love of her life, Michael John Pagonis. She studied at the University of Oklahoma where she played the flute in the marching band. Following her time there, Jo Ann went to school for shorthand and typing. These skills proved essential for her career at the U.S. Post Service where she worked for 28 years before retirement. While much of her time was dedicated to work and family, her true love was the Church. She spent countless hours serving the Church in various capacities. Jo Ann served as an elected Officer of Parish Council, as President of her Philoptochos Chapter and as Grand National President of the Daughters of Penelope. She made history as the first person of non-Greek descent to achieve this title. Jo Ann’s devotion to the Greek Orthodox Community is evident in her efforts to embrace Greek culture. She learned Greek from her Godmother, learned to Greek dance, and even taught others to dance.
Known by many of whom she touched simply as Yiayia (grandmother), she was truly an icon of the word. She loved unconditionally, but her love carried with it a certain expectation that the many people that she held close should and would strive to meet the potential that she saw in her heart. Jo Ann would do or give anything to help them reach their full potential. She was genuinely selfless unto the very last.
