Jo McPherson

E. Josephine Guitteau McPherson, age 80, passed away on November 9, 2015. Jo was born in Safford, Arizona, but grew up in Tucson, attending Amphitheater High School, winning many 4-H awards including two trips to national 4-H events. A member of Chi-Omega, she graduated from Arizona State University and began a rewarding career as an early elementary teacher for various Phoenix valley schools spending the last 20 years at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Scottsdale. She loved and studied the Americas and its indigenous cultures and history, traveling with her daughter all over Mexico and South America exploring Mayan, Aztec and Incan ruins, staying at Machu Picchu and rafting down the Colorado River. She was most proud of her 37 years of sobriety in Alcoholics Anonymous and grateful for the gift of the second chance it gave. She loved life, her family and friends. She will be remembered for her real impact as a teacher, her smile, her quick wit, her love of learning, her bravery, her generosity and her adventurous spirit. She will be sorely missed.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Elizabeth Guitteau; brothers, Edward and Dudley Guitteau and former husband, Douglas K. McPherson. She is survived by her daughter, Lynn McPherson Espey and son-in-law, Mark; granddaughters, Becca and Lauren; nephew, Paul Guitteau and his wife, Angela and stepson, Scott D. McPherson.

If desired, her wish in lieu of flowers would be a donation to the Arizona Historical Society. http://www.arizonahistoricalsociety.org/get-involved/welcome-to-donations/ or by mail at Arizona Historical Society Attn: Memorial Donations 949 E. 2nd St. Tucson, AZ 85719 or by phone at 520-617-1165.