Jo Ann McCabe

With deep sadness, we share with you the passing of Jo Ann McCabe, our beloved
mother on April 24, 2025. Jo Ann (Joey) was born October 4, 1935, in Batavia, New
York to Clair Taylor and Catherine Boatfield. She grew up with her two younger
brothers, Robert and Carl, on a dairy farm in Pavilion, a small town in the heart of
Genesee County. After high school, she attended Rochester Business Institute. Soon
thereafter, Jo Ann moved to Buffalo, New York, to work in the medical field, where she
met Raymond Gavin McCabe on a blind date. Ray was from New Rochelle, New York,
and they were married on April 12, 1958. They resided In the Hudson River Valley
region with their growing family, and in 1962, packed their Ford Falcon station wagon
with their three young daughters, Caroline Jo, Sue Ellen, and Cindy Ann, and set off for
a life in sunny Orange County, California. Their fourth daughter, Mollie Raye, arrived in
1965.
Jo Ann immersed herself in being a loving mom and supportive wife to a busy business
executive. She spent countless hours playing games with her girls, making clothes for
them, going to the beach, and summer camping trips. Jo Ann wore many hats: room
mom at elementary school, scout leader, softball manager, Sunday school teacher, pet
wrangler, and a good friend who was always willing to lend a helping hand. As her
daughters left the house, she worked part-time at an insurance office.
After 27 years living in Westminster, Joey and Ray set out for an even sunnier locale,
Palm Desert, where their lives centered on golfing, St Margaret's Episcopal Church,
friends and family, a summer cabin in Big Bear California, and exploring the world via
cruise ships.
In later years, Jo Ann enjoyed bible study, Danielle Steel novels, Wheel of Fortune,
Yahtzee, dominoes, hummingbirds, primroses, and vacations with her daughters.
She is survived by her daughters Caroline McCabe, Sue McCabe, Cindy McCabe, and
Mollie Baker; her grandchildren Ryan, Chad, Trevor, and D.J. Harris; Chase and Haylie
Baker; Sadie Olla-McCabe; and five great-grandchildren.
A committal service will be held for Jo Ann at St Margarets Church in Palm Desert,
California at 5:00 pm on May 10 in front of the columbarium where her ashes will be
placed alongside Rays. She will be remembered and missed beyond measure.