Jo Ann Gilchrist Hobbs

1926 ~ 2012
Jo Ann Gilchrist Hobbs, 86, died Nov. 26, 2012 at her home in Salt Lake City.
She was born Oct. 26, 1926 to Harriett Meyer and Sidney Evans Gilchrist, a Salt Lake City girl who graduated from East High School and attended the University of Utah. She met Lee Wray Hobbs on New Year's Eve 62 years ago, fell madly and forever in love, and they were married the following July 21, 1950.
Mom was the best; not always the first (or even the last) to volunteer for the PTA, and sometimes reluctant to be room mother, but as far as teaching personal responsibility, high morals, civic involvement and treating others as equals, she was unmatched and a role model for the generations to follow.
As parents, Mom and Dad were simultaneously lenient and strict. They encouraged exploring different ideas, philosophies, cultures and foods; at the same time, they didn't allow their young children to watch insipid television shows and refused to buy Barbie dolls.
Jo Ann was an extraordinary seamstress. Our family has many treasured photos of matching holiday outfits and first-day-of-school dresses, and memories of hearing the sewing machine going late into the nights around Christmastime, with fanciful robes and warm pajamas as the result. Later on, there would be prom gowns and beautifully tailored wedding dresses.
After Lee died in 1980, Mom turned the unfortunate experience of being a young widow into an opportunity to improve her circumstances and again prove herself an incredible role model. She took the initiative to go back to school, while pursuing full-time employment as an accountant. She engaged herself in political, community and volunteer activities, and established an independent life. She never relied on her children for support, and never complained about difficult circumstances.
After retirement, she moved into the Highland Cove senior community where she quickly made a lot of new friends. She especially enjoyed going to Happy Half Hour and playing bridge, often several times a week.
Unfortunately Mom's body failed her over the last several months, but luckily not her mind; she was sharp, joking and still following the daily news, weather forecasts and politics to the end. She was an ardent Democrat, although willing to cross party lines when warranted. Voting, to her, was a right and a responsibility that should never be taken for granted. She proudly cast her first vote for Harry S Truman 64 years ago and never missed voting in an election since. She was anxious to get her ballot in the mail for the most recent election to ensure her vote was counted, a second time, for Barack Obama.
When Mom felt her life was nearing the end, she made it happen with grace. She always thanked and spoke highly of those helping her day-to-day - an incredible group of aides led by her "Fairy Godmother," Rosemary Silva, and including Jennifer, Frieda, Grace, Teresa, Charlotte, and Hospice nurse Barbara. Her children, grandchildren and brother Paul gathered for two birthday celebrations in the last several months, followed by a happy Thanksgiving weekend, where Mom made her love for all of us known.
Jo Ann loved her late husband Lee for well beyond their short 30 years together; she held him in her heart until the end, and whatever that end brings - if anything - she will continue loving him there. Again, a role model for generations hence.
Jo Ann is survived by her children, Randi Smith and husband Larry Smith, Salt Lake City; Laurel Siddoway and husband Douglas Siddoway, Spokane, WA., Nancy Hobbs Orme and husband Terry Orme, Sandy; Lincoln Wray Hobbs and wife Karin Stone Hobbs, Salt Lake City; grandchildren Daniel Siddoway, Salt Lake City; Hank Siddoway, Spokane, WA., and Jack Siddoway, Chiang Mai, Thailand.; Sarah H. Orme and husband Philip Handke, Salt Lake City; Cally Hobbs Orme, Chicago; Andrew Wray Hobbs, Berkeley, CA; Kristen Stone Hobbs, Wellesley, MA., and Nicholas Richard Hobbs, Salt Lake City; and brother, Paul Gilchrist, Berkeley, CA. Preceded in death by husband Lee Wray Hobbs, and brother Sydney Gilchrist.
Jo Ann requested no memorial services. The family instead suggests donations to a charity of your choice in her honor.