Jo Anne Haymore Paty

Born on January 9, 1937, to Joe and Grace Haymore in Atlanta, Georgia, Jo Anne spent her early childhood in Atlanta before moving to Covington, Georgia. She graduated as valedictorian of Newton County High School in 1955 and attended LaGrange College, where she was elected “Miss Freshman.” She graduated in 1958, six months ahead of schedule to marry her high school sweetheart, Donald, on December 27 of that year.

Jo Anne began her career as a teacher in Atlanta and supported her growing family through moves to Durham, North Carolina, and Kuching, Malaysia, where she and Don spent two memorable years with the United States Public Health Service.

The family later lived in Newcastle upon Tyne, England—an experience Jo Anne remembered as one of the happiest times of her life. In 1972, they moved to London, Ontario, where she raised her children, sang in a community choir, and became a Certified General Accountant through evening studies. She subsequently enjoyed a successful 15-year career as a public accountant.

In 1980, Jo Anne and Don moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, where she continued her accounting career. When Don developed lymphoma in 1996, she left work to care for him. They shared 47 years of loving marriage before his death in 2004. Jo Anne later moved to Victoria to be near her daughter and grandson.

Known to her grandchildren as Jo Jo and to others as simply Jo, she was energetic, intelligent, quick-witted, and determined, and she loved to laugh. She loved and supported her family in countless ways. Her friends were very dear to her, and she remained in close contact with them throughout her life.

Jo Anne will be deeply missed by her daughter, Beverly; her sons, Breay and Blake; her grandsons, Brendan and his wife Emma, Trevor, and Julian; and her great-grandchildren, Benny and Quinn. She was predeceased by her husband, Donald; her brother, Perry; and her eldest son, Britt.

No service is planned at this time. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the MS Society of British Columbia or the BC Mental Health Foundation.