Jo Anne "Jo" Yahres

Jo Anne "Jo" Yahres, age 81, formerly of Bradenton, FL, peacefully passed away at home on Sunday, December 30, 2018. Jo Anne was born in Far Rockaway New York, the eldest daughter of Hugo and Jane (Cornell) Passeggio. Jo Anne excelled academically, skipping a grade and graduating from Farmingdale High School early with honors in 1954. During high school, she was the lead majorette and an expert baton twirler. Shortly following high school, she met and fell in love with William Yahres. Bill and Jo Anne then travelled cross country, settling in Southern California. Returning to Long Island, New York, they purchased their first home in Lake Ronkonkoma where they enjoyed raising three children together. Relocating to Bradenton, FL in 1977, Jo Anne's passion for real estate sales and investing led her to Century 21, where she worked from 1977-1986. In 1986, Jo Anne continued her career path working as a project coordinator for the Manatee County Planning Department, where she ceremoniously retired in 2001. Unwilling to remain idle in retirement, she became a Certified IRS Tax Preparer, managing an office for Jackson Hewitt until 2015. Jo Anne was thought of by her family and friends alike to be kind hearted, well versed, great humored and very generous. Her passions included; crossword puzzles, figure skating, reading, politics, music and movies. Jo Anne is survived by her children, Laura (Suzy Nolan) Yahres, Bill Yahres, Jewell (Ryan) Silcott; grandson, Spencer Silcott; and sisters, Barbara (Tom) Cooke and Frances Messina. Life celebration services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 5, 2019 at Robert Toale and Sons Funeral Home at Palms Memorial Park; 170 Honore Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34232. The family gratefully asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Jo Anne's name to: Tidewell Hospice of Sarasota.