Jo Ann Mow

Jo Ann Mow of Oro Valley, Arizona, passed away on October 24, 2025, at the age of 84. She is survived by her husband Michael Mow; her sister June Hilton Cole of Oro Valley; and her son Ed (Shelly) Wood of Placentia, California. She is also survived by two granddaughters, Camryn (Zack) Bartlett and Carsyn Wood.
Born Jo Ann Hilton on August 23, 1941 in Beatrice, Nebraska, Jo Ann grew up in a close-knit family with two elder sisters, June and Jane, and their younger brother Jarvis. According to "Jo," their mother Katherine stressed a lifestyle based on resiliency and a farmer's sense of resourcefulness. Following various moves, the Hilton family settled in Grand Junction, Colorado, where Jo Ann and her siblings spent their formative years. After graduation from Grand Junction High School and Mesa College, Jo Ann attended the University of Colorado and graduated as a pharmacist. Briefly married, she then spent much of her life as a single mother, pursuing her career in pharmacy and caring for young Ed. When she had an opportunity to work for Abbott Laboratories, she chose a position in Lincoln, Nebraska, in order for Ed to be near his father. Passionately ambitious, she pursued advancement within Abbott, becoming a corporate trainer in Chicago and later a district manager in Denver.
Following an Abbott transfer to California, she resumed her sales management career and it was there that she met her husband Michael. The two enjoyed a 34-year marriage that literally took them around the globe. In addition to traveling throughout Asia, Europe and Australia, Jo Ann and Michael were avid supporters of opera, the symphony, skiing and an outdoor recreation lifestyle.
Throughout her life, no matter where she lived, Jo Ann was resourceful and hands-on, tackling home rehabs and bringing her creative talents to every interior detail, from sewing curtains to creating unique stencils from the leaves of local trees. It was in the garden, however, where Jo loved to spend her time. Growing up with her siblings in Colorado, they always kept a vegetable garden, and she carried on with that devotion to gardening wherever she lived. One of her greatest sources of pride was achieving the designation of Master Gardener. In addition to gardening and her family, Jo Ann always showed a passion and dedication to her animals. She and Michael rescued stray cats and dogs from everywhere they lived, including Los Angeles, Kansas City, Steamboat Springs, Santa Fe and Tucson. It is certain that today she is frolicking with all of the pets that preceded her. Aside from Michael and Ed, Jo Ann's closest love was for her sister June. Born on June's second birthday, the two shared as strong a bond as two sisters could, supporting each other through thick and thin until the very end. Finally, it cannot be left unsaid that Jo Ann was as a natural-born redhead. She was proud of it and vowed to leave her life as one, which she certainly did.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 am on Sunday, May 3rd, 2026 at the Western Colorado Botanic Gardens in Grand Junction, Colorado.