Jo Anne Riddle

JO ANNE RIDDLE OCT 9, 1940 - DEC 15, 2010 Jo Anne Riddle, 70, died Wednesday, December 15, in Modesto. Jo Anne was a native and lifelong resident of Modesto, CA. She was employed with the City of Modesto for 14 years as assistant to executive management and elected officials. Prior to that, for 25 years she was Executive Secretary to Special Education and Human Relations Directors of Modesto City Schools. She was a member of the Yosemite Conservancy; McHenry Museum & Historical Society; Stanislaus Wildlife Care Center; life member of the local California School Employees Association, serving as a representative of the state association. She volunteered as Greeter Coordinator for the Modesto Convention & Visitors Bureau. She was a devoted lifelong member of national environmental organizations that supported her passion for protection and preservation of Yosemite National Park and the California High Sierra as well as local and national animal welfare organizations. She was a loyal supporter of community performing arts groups and enjoyed attending their performances. Over the years, Jo Anne enjoyed mountain camping with family and hiking the trails of the Yosemite High Country, with a base at Tuolumne Meadows, which became a family totemic place that all of the family enjoyed. Retirement allowed Jo Anne more time to continue volunteer work for the organizations she supported as well as the enjoyment of researching, learning and documenting her family history; traveling; gardening; civic beautification projects; catching up on reading; and daily walks with her dogs through the neighborhood park. She is survived by her brother Michael Wilkinson of Modesto; nephews and nieces Nathan Riddle of Sebastopol, Emilie Riddle Rhoden of Modesto, Janelle Peck of Livermore, John Wilkinson of Modesto, and Melanie Wilkinson of Portland, Oregon; as well as her beloved dog. She was preceded in death by her parents Clarence and Valla Belle Pat'' Riddle and her brother James Riddle. A private family memorial was held, with burial in the family plot at Lakewood Memorial Park, Hughson, CA. Franklin and Downs Colonial Chapel was entrusted with arrangements. As a memorial remembrance to Jo Anne, please consider donating to a charity of your choice in her name. www.modbee.com/obituaries on of Modesto; nephews and nieces Nathan Riddle of Sebastopol, Emilie Riddle Rhoden of Modesto, Janelle Peck of Livermore, John Wilkinson of Modesto, and Melanie Wilkinson of Portland, Oregon; as well as her beloved dog. She was preceded in death by her parents Clarence and Valla Belle Pat'' Riddle and her brother James Riddle. A private family memorial was held, with burial in the family plot at Lakewood Memorial Park, Hughson, CA. Franklin and Downs Colonial Chapel was entrusted with arrangements. As a memorial remembrance to Jo Anne, please consider donating to a charity of your choice in her name. www.modbee.com/obituaries