Jo Neal Prendergast

She was born on February 21, 1940, in Austin, TX. Jo Neal was the daughter of Joseph Sanders and Gladys DeVall, both of whom preceded her in death.

Jo Neal grew up in Lufkin, TX, as a young child then returned to Austin where she attended Travis High School for two years then transferred to St. Mary's Academy to complete her last two years, graduating in 1958. She then attended North Texas State University for a brief period before entering the workforce as a secretary at the Dept. of Health, the Texas Legislature, and Lumerman's Investment over the next four years.

During that period, Jo Neal met her future husband, Michael Prendergast while he was a student attending St. Edward's University. Following his graduation in 1962, Michael and Jo Neal were married on November 10, 1962, at St. Mary Cathedral in Austin, TX. Michael then whisked her away to his hometown in Sepulveda, CA after honeymooning in Las Vegas.

Jo Neal acclimated to life in California, made many new friends that would joke about her Texas accent, and started her family with the birth of their daughters Catherine and Christine (Tina) and their first son Michael (Mick).

After Michael's employer (IBM) transferred the family to Dallas, TX, their second son Mark was born, him being the only Texan among their four children. Five years later (1974), the family was transferred again to Austin, TX, where the family still has roots.

Jo Neal was active in several women's organizations donating her time and talents wherever needed. She became an avid tennis player and especially enjoyed participating in many doubles and mixed doubles tournaments at the neighborhood tennis club.

While she enjoyed early life in Austin, the true loves of her life began to occupy her time, her grandchildren Joshua Miller, Emily Miller, McKenna Moore, Brooke Prendergast, Austin Prendergast, and Payton Prendergast.

In addition to her husband, children, and grandchildren noted above, she is also survived by her two brothers and their spouses Arnie and Myrtle Riffe, Leonard and Anna DeVall, and sister Carolyn Simmons.

Unfortunately, her health began to deteriorate around 2012 and was exacerbated in 2017, which put her in and out of hospitals and rehab centers 3 - 4 times a year since then, culminating in her recent passing.

Funeral services will be private where she will be remembered and cherished by her immediate family and grandchildren.

The family requests that any donation in Jo Neal's honor be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at www.stjude.org.