On Saturday, October 6, 2018, Almina Jo Lott Breuer, a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend, passed peacefully in her sleep.
Jo was born April 18, 1947 in Endwell, a small hamlet near Endicott, New York, to Dave and Marietta (Rivel) Lott. The family moved to Largo, Florida in 1953, when Jo was still in elementary school. She graduated from Largo High School, where she was a record-setting athlete and an excellent student, in 1965. She attended Florida Southern College (Lakeland, FL) on full scholarship, completing a B.A. in English before moving to NYC to earn an M.E. in Theological Studies at Union Theological Seminary. While at Union, Jo met and married Bob Breuer, a United Methodist minister, and they were blessed with four healthy children over the next ten years.
Jo was a dedicated Christian who was a cherished member of a number of United Methodist churches throughout her life, including her family church Anona United Methodist in Largo, as well as United Methodist churches in Seminole, Lakeland, Gainesville, Oldsmar, Countryside, and Clearwater, Florida. She engaged in a number of ministries in those churches, from organizing Sunday school and teaching Vacation Bible School to leading the youth group and even directing the choir at The Hampton chapel in Clearwater. Jo’s love of and desire to serve her God infused every area of her life.
A gifted singer whose range included both alto and second soprano, Jo was a long-term member of the Master Chorale of Tampa Bay. Jo loved music, and her beautiful voice graced those who had the honor of hearing her perform. She especially enjoyed singing at church in praise of God and performing the classics with the Master Chorale and the Florida Orchestra, which she continued to support as a volunteer and annual donor her whole life.
Jo had a strong work ethic that began early in life, where she could be found at the entrance to the Thunderbird Drive-in selling and taking tickets or at the Capital Theatre snack counter serving sodas, candy, or fresh popcorn. Later, she felt blessed to continue her ministry through her position at Cokesbury Book Store. Jo also maintained a long commitment to the Pinellas County Schools, where she began as a bus driver and retired almost two decades later from her position as a teacher’s assistant at Clearwater High School (the same school from which two of her sons graduated).
Jo enjoyed making people laugh, she always told others how much God loved and cared for them, and she tried to make everyone feel special. She was generous—no one could leave her house empty-handed!—and she did not know a stranger. She not only donated to many charitable organizations throughout her life, but she gave to anyone and everyone she met.
Jo is survived by many loved ones, including her daughter, Heidi Jo Breuer; her son Robert Michael Breuer and his wife, Stephanie (Hodge) Breuer; her son Daniel Middleton Breuer and his partner, Sherine Chan; her son Peter Kevin Breuer and his wife, Aya Suzuki Breuer; and her grandson, Knox Breuer. Jo also leaves behind six siblings and their families: Jacque (Lott) and Bill Mattes, Anna (Lott) and Carl Ingram, David and Sherry (Johnson) Lott, Marion Lott Denton and Dennis Ryan, Annette (Lott) and Tom Cote, Tom Lott, and many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A memorial service and celebration of Jo’s life will be held Sunday, October 28, 2018 at 1:30 p.m. at Anona United Methodist Church Chapel. Anona will host a reception following the service.
We are happy to accept flowers on Jo’s behalf at Anona Methodist Church (13233 Indian Rocks Rd., Largo, Florida 33774), but if you would prefer, you can make a donation in lieu of flowers, as indicated below.
Donate to the Master Chorale!
Jo was an inspired alto singer and passionate member of the Master Chorale of Tampa Bay for many years. Help support her passion for the arts by donating to this prestigious non-profit arts organization!
Please notate all donations as follows: In memory of Almina Jo Lott Breuer
Contributions may be submitted online (http://www.masterchorale.com/donate.html) or checks (payable to The Master Chorale of Tampa Bay) may be mailed to the following address:
The Master Chorale of Tampa Bay
30382 USF Holly Drive
Tampa, FL 33620
Donate to Jo’s Home Legacy!
One of Jo’s long-term dreams was to leave her children the legacy of her home on Hillsdale Avenue. Help her achieve her goal of leaving the home to her children by donating to her Home Legacy Fund!
To donate, please mail checks (payable to Peter Breuer Property Management) with the subject “In Memory of Jo Breuer” to the following address:
Peter Breuer
9322 Tyrella Pine Trl.
Winter Garden, FL 34787
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