Jo Ellen V. Imre

Jo Ellen (Jody) V. Imre (nee Varner) passed away quietly Wednesday June 5, 2024, at The Residences at Vantage Point in Columbia, MD. Her decline began with a fall and a broken hip last month which led to her entering hospice. She had wonderful caregivers at Vantage Point and Gilcrest Hospice. They kept her comfortable.
Along with family, lots of Jody's friends and the staff at VP had been coming in say hello to her and to keep her company her last days. They were sharing "Jody" stories and telling her how much she meant to everyone. She gave a smile or two and seemed to recognize voices periodically.
Jody was a proud and fiercely independent woman...emphasis on the fierce. She protected her family at all costs. Born in Elkins, WV to Dow and Elva Varner, she came to Baltimore at the age of 18. She got her nursing degree at the Union Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in 1951 and met her future husband, Paul Imre when she joined Spring Grove State Hospital as a Nurse Manager. Paul was working there as a Chief Psychologist.
She was active in the community including roles with the Union Memorial Hospital School of Nursing Alumni Association, the Wilde Lake Village Board and the Residences at Vantage Point Board of Directors.
During their 50+ year marriage, Jody and Paul had two boys (David and Robert) and lived first in Catonsville and then in Columbia, MD. They had a love of family, travel and dogs among other things.
Professionally, Jody accomplished so much during her 93 years on this earth. From her service in Louisville as an American Red Cross nurse during the polio pandemic to her work at Spring Grove to a one-trip assignment as a flight nurse (she swore the pilot was trying to kill her and she quit). But nothing beat her role as a grandmother. She was incredibly proud of her three granddaughters.
A private celebration of life is being planned.
Jody's ashes will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery alongside her husband. He died in 2009.
Any gifts can go to Howard County Animal Control & Adoption Center https://www.howardcountymd.gov/police/animal-control.