Jo Boswell

1936 - 2025

Jo Boswell

July 8, 1936 - September 5, 2025

Bettie Jo Amacker Boswell, "Jo", age 89, died peacefully at her Billings, Montana home surrounded by her family and devoted guardian, Beignet (family poodle). She died of natural causes.

She lived a rich and full life, with great passion, great intensity and great joy. She loved her family fiercely and was a loyal friend to people from all walks of life. She had a sharp, organized mind and was the epitome of order and self-discipline. She graced our lives with her wonderful sense of humor and her appreciation of the absurd, her deep listening and her wise counsel. She had true strength of character; she lived her code. She lived with integrity, courage, simplicity and kindness. She also faced the challenges of life with quiet strength and dignity.

Not a stranger to life's sorrows, she nevertheless was committed to living in day tight compartments and finding joy in each day, especially in the rituals of everyday life. She infused life's simple moments and daily tasks with grace and beauty. She truly was a "Steel Magnolia".

Jo created a gracious home with generous hospitality and always delicious homemade meals and beautiful well-kept flower gardens. She especially loved parties, celebrations and traditional holidays.

Her contagious laugh, her warm smile and the lovely lilt of her southern accent will be remembered fondly.

She will be greatly missed by all who loved her.

Jo was raised in a close-knit, loving community in Dekalb, Mississippi which she reflected on fondly all her life. She especially loved her years playing varsity and college basketball with her friends and teammates.

She was the beloved wife of Dr. H. Frank Boswell, Jr., "Bos", for 54 years. Together, they created a loving home in New Orleans, La. She is survived by three of their children: H. Frank Boswell, III of Billings, Montana; Corinne Boswell Denegre and spouse Dr. John G. Denegre of Billings, Montana; and Lucy Boswell Varin and spouse Edward C. H. Varin of Hinsdale, Illinois; grandchildren Eleanore Grace Denegre and John Gayle Denegre, Jr. and Constance Corinne Varin. She was preceded in death by her son, Richard Jackson Boswell; her husband, Bos; and her parents, Corinne and Luke Amacker.

She was an active member of several civic, charitable and social organizations. Jo would not wish to be remembered, however, for what she did but for who she was and her devotion to her family and those she loved.

In lieu of flowers, please celebrate her life by passing on your favorite book to a friend and supporting your local bookstore and library or planting a favorite flower in her honor.

A celebration of life and memorial will be held at a later date in New Orleans at Trinity Episcopal Church.

The family would like to thank the Rev. Melinda St. Clair of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Riverstone Health Hospice and her compassionate nurse, Michaela, and all the caring staff; her first beloved caregiver, Nancy (Synergy) and the devoted Cornerstone caregivers at the end of her life.