JoAnn Glasman

JoAnn was born on October 21, 1932 to Richard and Onalee Evans, the second of 4 sisters. She was born in Davenport, Iowa and grew up in Moline, Illinois.  JoAnn attended University of Iowa where she met her husband, Joe.  She was a member of Delta Gamma sorority and Joe was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity with JoAnn being selected as Sweetheart of Sigma Chi one year.  She and Joe were married December 27, 1954 and they were married for 65 years.

JoAnn was an elementary school teacher, teaching full time until she had children.  She was a lifelong learner and teacher.  She enjoyed sharing her love of art as the ‘picture lady’ at Serrano Elementary.  JoAnn volunteered at her children’s schools, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, Webelos, and at St. Norbert’s church.

Jo and Joe lived in multiple states and JoAnn cheerfully supported her husband as they moved from Topeka, KS to Rochester, NY to Dallas, TX to Lubbuck, TX to Oklahoma City, OK to Richardson, TX to Exton, PA to Naperville, IL to Pittsford, NY to Orange, CA where they lived 51 years.  She was a 71 year member of P.E.O., a woman’s philanthropic organization, joining a new chapter in each new community.

For the past 50 years, JoAnn and Joe were faithful members of St. Norbert’s Catholic church. JoAnn taught religious education for many years, taught in the ESL program, brought communion to the sick, and coordinated funeral services for the parish. Her strong faith was an inspiration to those that knew her. She was a cheerful and positive person, known for her kindness. She was accepting of others, always believing the best of people she loved.

JoAnn died on February 21 surrounded by her family.  In the last year of her life, she lived at Sunrise Senior Living where she made good friends and eagerly participated in most of the activities.

A funeral Mass for JoAnn will be held on Saturday, March 25 at St. Norbert’s Catholic Church, 300 E. Taft Ave., Orange, CA 92865 at 10:00am. 

She is survived by two of her sisters, Nancy Riley and Elizabeth Jones (Jesse), her children Laura Parker (Steve); Stephanie Taft (Mark); Susan Wilkinson (Kirk); Richard Glasman (Kathleen); Steve Glasman (Claudia); and Jennifer Carroll (John). She had 15 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.  She will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Susan G. Koman organization to end breast cancer at https://www.komen.org/how-to-help/donate/memorial-giving/ Or Catholic Charities of Orange County at https://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/member/catholic-charities-of-orange-county/

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