Jo Ann McKenzie

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Mars Hill University

Jo McKenzie Obituary

Jo Ann McKenzie passed away peacefully on July 5, 2023, after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. She was 85 years old. Affectionately known as JoJo, she is survived by her loving husband Martin Reitinger, daughters Susan and Sharon, grandson Andrew and brothers Cal and Kenny Thornton.

Jo Ann was born in Orlando, Florida and raised in Lakeland, Florida. She attended Mars Hill College in North Carolina. As a college student she traveled to San Francisco in 1956 and remained in the Bay Area where she married and raised her family. JoAnn re-entered the workforce as a young mother and worked in the Millbrae School District as a secretary. She was the President of the PTA. She moved on to work in high level administrative positions at various companies including Skypak Int'l, The Good Guys, Diasonics, American Biodyne/Medco Behavorial Care and SRI. As Director of Administration at MBC she traveled extensively to the East Coast and managed the opening of new offices.

Jo Ann had many hobbies. She was a talented seamstress and sewed many of her daughter's clothes and dance costumes. She opened a ceramics business in the 1970's and taught classes out of her home. She enjoyed cooking, baking, photography and gardening. She took up Kodenkan Jujitsu at Cahill's Judo Academy and earned her brown belt which she was extremely proud of. She loved to spend weekends out on the coast near the ocean. She adored her senior rescue dog, Lily.

We will always remember her as a southern bell who loved to socialize. Jo Ann's golden smile, warm heart and a helping hand were traits admired by all who knew her. She looked forward to hosting her annual Christmas Eve soiree for friends and family. She will forever be in our hearts.

There will be a memorial service at 10:00 AM on Thursday, July 20, 2023 at St. Catherine's Of Siena church (1310 Bayswater Ave.) in Burlingame, followed by a burial service at 12:15 PM at Our Lady of the Pillar cemetery (926 Miramontes Street) in Half Moon Bay.

Donations can be made in her honor to Catholic Charities-Adult Day Services Program-San Francisco, a world class Adult Care Program for those with varying degrees of disabilities.www.catholiccharitiessf.org.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Mercury News on Jul. 12, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Jo McKenzie

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9 Entries

Denise Miller Anderson

February 7, 2024

Susan, I was so sad to read about your mom´s passing. It has been many years but she was always nice to me way back when you were living in Bayview Court.
Denise Miller Anderson

Whispering Love Arrangement - BASKET INCLUDED

Anne Wilson

Sent Flowers

MARTIN J REITINGER

July 13, 2023

Jo Ann has been the sunshine of my life for about 42 years. She had a heart of gold and a smile to match. Early in my public accounting career (when I lacked typing skills) she would stay up late at night and type financial audit reports. That single act of love propelled my career forward.

My initial attraction to Jo Ann was that she was the genuine article. There was no pretentiousness in her being.

She loved people and could strike up a conversation with a complete stranger and make a friend for life.

Jo Ann enjoyed the street fairs---always looking for a unique piece of art, ceramics or pottery. As a Ceramicist she was very particular and selective. Jo Ann took ceramics as therapy to help overcome nerve damage from an auto accident. She became so proficient many of her friends asked her to share her knowledge. Jo Ann started a ceramics business and taught classes out of her home. Many of her remarkable works of art are retained by her family.

Jo Ann was adventurous. I came home one day and said i would like to take Jujitsu classes. She immediately said-sign me up! She earned a brown belt in Jujitsu at Willie Cahill Judo Academy. Mr. Cahill was an Olympic coach and is a world renown martial artist. Mr. Cahill does not give away promotion belts. Jo Ann was very proud of her achievement.

In the later years of her illness, she still enjoyed singing songs with me and rewarded me every day with at least one magnificent golden smile.

Jo Ann will be missed greatly but never forgotten.

Anne Taylor and Debra Rustom

July 13, 2023

We arrived in California from England in 1983 and were quickly embraced by the hospitality extended to us by Jo and Sharon. At Thanksgiving and Christmas Jo opened her home to us. We will never forget her kindness and generosity and the happy hours spent in her company, that year and subsequently, and of course the introduction to egg-nog!

Our love and thoughts are with Susan, Sharon and Marty at this sad time.

Cal thornton

July 13, 2023

My name is Cal Thornton my sister Joanne along with my younger brother Kenny and I grew up together and they late 30s and 40s in Lakeland Florida Joe was 2 years younger than myself we were the best of friends and enjoyed each other has teenagers growing up a double dated and we did things together with her and it was a beautiful life for young people we have had a good life sis I will miss you 85 years the good Lord has given you a real good run on this planet you are now with God and Mom and Dad and that Heavenly Realm we are coming we're going to be joining you sis so you just wait and get ready I love you and this is from me and my two sons Matthew and Jason we love you God bless our family thank you God

Marion c. Thornton jr

July 13, 2023

My name is Thornton I am one of two brothers to Joanne my sister we grew up together in Florida I am over by 2 years than Joanne and her other brother Kenny is 2 years younger my sister was a beautiful person I loved her and love her so very much we double dated we're best friends until I left for the Korean War for my Naval service in 1952 she is beloved and I will miss her and I just want to say wait Joe wait for me I am coming I know you will be with Mom and Dad in that Heavenly home where the spirit of man will live forever forever more I love you sis wait for me and thank you for a beautiful 85 years and thank you God

Marion cal thornton jr

July 13, 2023

My name is Cal Thornton I wanted to say thank you God for 85 years with my sister we grew up together we double dated and we're the best of best friends for many years as young people until I went away to the Korean war in 19 52 my sister was a unique person and is certainly in that Realm of great love and greatness in that home above with God and Jesus and all of our spiritual and family we will all be together and I just wanted to say I love you Joe wait for me I am on my way your older brother loving brother Cal

Jeanne Laurin

July 11, 2023

I had forgotten some of her accomplishments, it was nice to read about them!
I´ll never forget how sweet and loving she was after my Mom and sister died, that she opened her home every Christmas Eve to my daughter and myself so that we could be with family at Christmas!
She was a very special lady!

Laurie QuadrosTamez and Rick and Christina

July 11, 2023

This is such a nice obituary. I had no idea of your Mom's many talents and accomplishments. What a wonderful and talented woman. May the memories of her "southern charm" stay with you forever.

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