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Jo Elder Obituary
Jo (Joann) Finley Elder
March 30, 1929 - Aug. 25, 2022
Jo was born to Mabel and Howard Finley in Dayton, OH. After her parents divorced in 1936, she and her mother lived with her grandparents, George and Rebecca Davis. Jo graduated with honors from Roosevelt High School in 1947, then went to Oberlin College, supported by her much loved step-father Hershel Byers. She met Joe (Joseph) Elder in her sophomore year. They were married August 4, 1951, and just celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary.
Jo and Joe sailed for Madurai, India in September 1951, on a Shansi teaching fellowship from Oberlin. Their daughter Shonti was born in India. Afterwards they returned to Oberlin, where she and Joe completed their Masters Degrees.
The Elders had three children; Shonti married to Bill Frey, with daughter, Kluonie and son Devin and wife Lily; John married to Leslie Kennedy Elder with daughters Anna married to Rodrigo Canedo-Gattegno, and Linden married to Daniel Thayer, parents of great granddaughters Lyra and Rowan; and Ed married to Danny Ashkenasi. Jo treasured this wonderful, talented family.
Jo and Joe joined the Society of Friends (Quakers) in the late fifties, and were inspired by Friends' peace testimony, and Friends' belief in human equality. Jo and Joe were active opponents of the Vietnam War, indeed every war, and demonstrated against them all. Jo was awarded the Woman of Distinction in 1993, and belonged to many progressive social causes.
Thanks to having a gay son, Ed, Jo and Joe were early members (1980s) of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG). Jo Elder was elected to the Madison School Board in 1998, and introduced more awareness of LGBT issues in the schools.
Throughout her life, Jo studied voice and sang beautifully. She enjoyed opera, the classics, "popular" music, and was active in the U.W. Choral Union, Madison Savoyards (Gilbert and Sullivan), The Euterpe Classical music group, and the Raging Grannies, singing socially relevant songs.
She treasured her lifetime with her husband Joe.
There will be a memorial gathering at a later date.
A more complete obituary is on the Cress Funeral Home website www.cressfuneralservice.com.
Cress Funeral & Cremation Services
3610 Speedway Road Madison
(608) 238-3434
Memories and Condolences
for Jo Elder
Sponsored by Cress Funeral & Cremation Service - Madison West.
6 Entries
Sonja Bjork
October 30, 2022
Hello Elder Family,
I attended UW Madison in the 80s and studied sociology. Joann was my advisor and I will always remember her kindness. I was struggling to come out to my parents and she she was so very gentle and supportive. She and Joe also inspired me to travel to India with Lisle International and the Gandhi Peace Foundation. It was of course, a life changing experience. Thank you for sharing Joann Elder with all of us, I wish your family peace and ease. Sonja Bjork
Sharon Brainerd Whitney
September 11, 2022
The world has lost a shining star, Jo Elder. Worked with her in PFLAG and on her school board campaign. Joe, savor the many good memories and her love for you and your family. Stay safe, well and happy.
Bonnie Svarstad
September 11, 2022
Joe and family, My deepest condolences and sympathy to you. I have fond memories and great admiration and respect for Jo whom I first met while I was a Sociology grad student 1964-68. What a remarkable woman and life she led!! A fine example for all of us. Peace and blessings to you, Bonnie Svarstad
Buzz Davis, Veterans for Peace formerly of Stoughton, WI
September 4, 2022
Hello Joe and Family!
I very much enjoyed talking to Jo over the years and the support of both of you for progressive activities and "battles" fought.
Jo was a wonderful person, and we are very fortunate to have such people like Jo and you, Joe, in this world of ours!
Trying to make, or help make, the world a better place to live and learn has always been difficult. And the two of you have always been showing the way!
Peace!
Buzz Davis, formerly of Stoughton and now in Tucson, 608-239-5354, [email protected]
Anne Urbanski
September 4, 2022
I knew Jo Elder primarily through PFLAG-Madison, where we both served on the the board in the early 2010s. She was smart, charming, and truly valued every person for exactly who they are. Madison and the PFLAG extended family will definitely miss Jo.
The Staff of Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
September 4, 2022
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
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