Jo-Ann Van Hoecke

Jo-Ann was the loving mother of Jennifer A. Smith, Jonathan M. Van Hoecke, and Jeffrey W. Smith. She was also the sister of the late Michele Oppold.

Jo-Ann was a nurse, having graduated from the first LPN Program offered at CCRI. She loved to ride horses and competed in many shows. She also enjoyed sewing, and was very good at game shows, especially Jeopardy. Jo-Ann was one smart lady! She was selfless, kind, caring and donated clothing and household items regularly. She was also an avid recycler, she recycled everything! Jo-Ann was beloved by everyone who met her.

A memorial service to celebrate Jo-Ann’s life will be held at a later date.

A Eulogy from Jonathan:

“I Want to be 5 Always”

Life is a series of firsts. First born, first love, first A, … As a first born child I felt very privileged because I always reminded my brother and sister that I was the oldest (not always the smart, but the smarty pants). One of my first memory as a 5 year old was playing hookie! This was like Christmas morning. As little peanuts all three of us fought over the front seat. So getting the front seat was like being King for a day. When I got to play hookie I got the front seat and my mom to myself. It also meant a trip to K-Mart for a matchbox car and a happy meal with another matchbox car! That special time to ourselves was priceless to me and made me feel like her favorite. To this day no one can make me feel that way. I knew then I was the luckiest person in the world. What I didn’t know was she was the only one who could do this, how precious and priceless these memories are. I never got to tell her before she passed away, but I’m sure she knows now. I will cherish this memory with a book full more. I love you and miss you with all my heart.