Josephine “Jo” (Southgate) Hancock Martin

On July 8, 2025, we lost a mighty fighter, friend, adventurer, and most importantly, Mom and Granny. Jo passed away peacefully at the age of 91, surrounded by her children.

Born in Long Beach, CA, Jo graduated from Wilson High in 1951. She was a top tennis player and student. She graduated from University of Colorado-Boulder in 1955. She was active in the Delta Gamma sorority, where she did philanthropy and made life-long friends. She married Jim in 1955; they lived in Germany for a year.

From Germany, they moved back to Boulder, where Jo was a teacher at Mapleton Elementary School, and then to Denver, where they had three children. Jo was an outstanding mom, organizing parties and other fun activities for her family and neighbors, attending swim meets, skiing with families, becoming a Girl Scout leader, and much more. Jo loved to go hiking, camping, sailing, skiing, and canoeing with her family. She threw great parties and celebrated birthdays and all holidays with panache. They moved to Walnut Creek in 1976.

Jo found love a second time and married Billy Martin, who was as social as she was. They traveled the world together. She continued playing tennis and took up golf, Billy's sport. When Billy passed, she moved to La Costa Glen, where she once again made many friends. She loved being the floor representative, playing golf and card games, and hosting parties.

She is survived by her three children; seven grandchildren and one great granddaughter; her brother; and her niece. She was preceded in death by her husband, Billy.

The family thanks Diana, her caregiver who became a friend; the doctors, nurses, and caregivers who brought her comfort; Sadie at Glenbrook whom Jo kept busy; La Costa Glen and Glenbrook for all the great activities they organized and where she made many wonderful friends.

A celebration of life will be held on August 16, 2025, 1:00-3:00 p.m. at the La Costa Glen Retirement Community in Carlsbad, CA.

Jo will be remembered for lighting up the room wherever she went and for her deep love and unwavering support for her family and friends.