Maria "Jojo" J. Strandquist

Maria “Jojo” Quevedo Strandquist was born to Vince and Inezita Quevedo on March 18, 1961 in Manila, Philippines. She was the third of five children: Elizabeth, Jeannette, Jojo, Vinci, and Francis. In 1970, at the age of 9, she and her siblings came to the US to join their parents who had made the trip a couple of years before. The Quevedo family made their home in Bloomington, IL, where the 5 children helped operate the family’s gymnastics center, Comp-Art Gymnastics School. As a high school student at University High School, Jojo was active in theater and to no surprise, cheerleading. Jojo attended Illinois State University where she obtained her BS degree in parks and recreation with a minor in dance, joined Delta Delta Delta sorority, and performed in the Gamma Phi Circus. At ISU she also earned her MRS degree after meeting Paul Strandquist. Paul and Jojo met in dance class and found a combined interest as they together joined the American Heritage Dancers. Paul and Jojo tied the knot on July 9th, 1983 alongside many loving family and friends. After two years living between Morton, IL and Bloomington, IL, their first son Brian was born on Jojo’s birthday; what a birthday gift!?! In 1986 Paul and Jojo moved to Chicago, IL and two years later they gave birth to their second son Brad. Before settling into her career as an information systems manager, Jojo ran an in-home childcare service while Brad was a toddler. Despite being very successful in her formal career, it’s without a doubt that her real work and joy was found in raising her two sons. In October of 2014, Brian and his amazing wife Katie (married in December 2011), made Jojo a very proud Lola (grandma) by bringing Annie into the world.

Always busy, Jojo devoted her time as a team mom and board member at Midway Baseball, as an active member and one time President of the St. Laurence HS Mother’s Club, as a volunteer gymnastics judge for the Illinois Special Olympics, and as an active Worldwide Marriage Encounter participant and event coordinator with Paul. It was always remarkable how much Jojo can get done with very little sleep. She could organize a party or event, and you can be sure she has covered every detail. She was generous with her time, making thoughtful trips to visit family, and friends; travelling with Paul was a favorite activity, especially to Las Vegas. She was also very generous of her home, always welcoming out-of-town guests as well as loved ones who were in a time of need. It’s remarkable how far-reaching Jojo’s cheerful energy and charisma was and still is today. Jojo was always the life of the party!

Memorial contributions in Jojo's name may be made to www.curepsp.org.