After graduating from Ohio State University where she was a loyal member of the Phi Mu sorority, JoAnn was hired as a stewardess in the still relatively new airline industry by American Airlines. She flew on mostly DC3’s during a time when flying was still considered a luxurious experience. During this time, she met and married Harry Nelson Gwinn on Valentines day in 1948 they stayed together for 62 years until his death in 2010.
Once married, JoAnn was not allowed to be a stewardess anymore as the industry only allowed single women to hold this position. She therefore took on the harder profession of being a homemaker and raising her 3 sons. During this time she would also do volunteer work in many areas, including the PTA. Taking care and servicing people was always in her blood.
JoAnn and Harry spent many years going to their son’s sporting events and activities, and were always considered a staple of consistency for being there. However, she always found time for herself, spending time in the solitude of her backyard among the comforts of her trees, flowers and roses. Later in her life she developed a passion for genealogy, and pursued it with the vigor of a detective. She was able to uncover 7 generations of relatives on both sides of the Gwinn/Yeager family tree, often coming up with surprising revelations about the family history. At the end of her life, JoAnn got to spend time with her 2 young granddaughters which was certainly a relief after raising 3 boys. She is going to be missed by many.
She is survived by her children, Richard Nelson Gwinn (Suzi), Robert Allen Gwinn (Angela), William Edwin Gwinn (Cris); grandchildren, James Nelson Gwinn (Cherie), Molly JoAnn Utigard (Bryan), Julia Armstrong Gwinn and Gisele Armstrong Gwinn; and great-grandchildren, Myla Janelle Gwinn and Beckett Jamison Gwinn.
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