Jo-Ann S. Loh

There are not enough words in all the world that could possibly describe Jo-Ann.

Born in Smithtown in 1945, Jo-Ann was the second daughter of Joseph and Sylvia Barr. The story goes that when she was born a name was not picked out for her. The nurse was told to write Joe and Sylvia on the birth certificate so they could bring her home, but wrote Jo-Ann Sylvia Barr and it stuck.

She grew up in Nesconset with her sister Cathy, parents, Grandparents John and Selma Johnson and her Uncle George. They all lived on the property that her Grandparents purchased in 1921 on Nichols Road.

Jo-Ann was a spirited child who loved to sew. In kindergarten she would sew before school and have to wait until the teacher came to help her cut the thread.

She attended Smithtown Central High School, enjoyed homemakers, archery and on the Badminton team. Who knew later her own children, Kim and Chuck and Grandchildren, Andie and Michael would graduate from the same High School and the grandkids would both join the badminton team.

It was while working at the S. Klein’s Dept. Store in Ladies handbags she would meet her future husband Gordon in the photo dept.

Gordon and Jo-Ann were married on April 16, 1966 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Ronkonkoma and resided at Nichols Road Nesconset.

Jo-Ann loved crafting, both creating and teaching. Belonged to a Ladies Bowling team, played Mahjong weekly and belonged to the Embroidery Guild and the Long Island Quilling group. There wasn’t a craft she couldn’t do. She sang in 2 church choirs and a Gospel Choir that regularly traveled Long Island, including a trip to Washing DC. She was a mother, daughter, wife and home-maker and had many varied jobs. At age 40 she went back to school and started a career as a Certified Nurse’s Aide. She loved her choice. Helping and caring for people was what she was meant to do. Not to mention working the night shift allowed her to help raise her 2 Grandchildren (whom also with their Mom Kim and Dad Andrew) now lived at Nichols Road.

After 25 years she retired. Traveled the world with her Mother Sylvia, with stops in Sweden, Norway, Finland, Greece, Ireland, Mexico and Italy. She didn’t forget about the United States, many of which was with the Holy Cross RCC Travel Club, visiting Alaska, Arizona, Maine, Colorado and many other states.

One of her favorite destinations was our trailer in PA. Chuck and I spent many a summer up at the lake camping and fishing. After She retired, her and Gordon would go for the entire summer, have lots of parties, games and good times with friends. Eventually they took Andie and Mikey up for the summer and they all made wonderful memories.

I could go on forever.

If you remember nothing else remember this.

She is the most amazing person, kind, caring and selfless.

Jo-Ann was SWEDISH and English.

She couldn’t say no to a stray animal or kid.

If something needed to be fixed or someone needed help she was right on it.

Jo-Ann was either called Mom, Grandma and Dear Friend by all.

She liked to drink beer and always had a cup of Lipton tea at the ready.

Jo-Ann Sylvia Barr Loh will be missed, more than words can say.