Jo Ellen Kirby

A lifelong California resident, Mrs. KIRBY succumbed after a long illness at Mercy Medical Center in

Redding on September 3, 2010 .

At her request, no service will be held.

Mrs. KIRBY was born on February 6, 1936 in Porterville, California, the loving daughter of Leo and Birdie WILSON.

Jo Ellen and her husband, Kenneth, both graduated from Porterville High School in 1954. She also graduated from Samuel Merritt School of Nursing in Oakland in 1957. She married Kenneth In June, 1957 and their only child, Leah, was born in June, 1958. She worked her entire adult life as a Psychiatric Nurse, finally becoming the assistant to the Director of Mental Health of Santa Clara County before she retired in 1988.

She was a very talented artist and received very favorable recognition for many of her oil paintings. She loved cooking, reading, gardening, sewing, fishing, camping, painting and taking care of her several critters (all dogs).

Jo Ellen moved with her husband to Redding in 1989 upon their retirements.

She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Kenneth, of Redding; her sister, Twyla, from Strathmore, CA; her daughter, Leah EMPLEO, of Porterville; and her grandson, Jacob EMPLEO, of Santa Clara.

Internment will be at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Red Bluff, CA.

Condolences may be sent to 2172 Sophy Place, Redding, CA 96003.Arrangements under the direction of McDonald's Chapel, Redding, CA.