JoAnn Fry

JoAnn Fry passed away peacefully at the age of 90 on August 28, 2025, in Littleton, Colorado.

JoAnn was born April 4, 1935, in the family home in Verdigre, Nebraska the third daughter to parents August and Ellen Block. At the age of 2 she moved with her parents and two older sisters to Kennewick, Washington. She was active in the Nonette, a singing show group of 9 girls, and Masonic Rainbow Girls in Junior and Senior High School, and was the 1953 Kennewick High School Co-Valedictorian.

In 1954, while working at Hanford Nuclear Plant as a secretary, she met a handsome young engineer named Wayne Fry. They married on August 1, 1954, and she became JoAnn Fry. In May of 1955, they welcomed the first of 4 children. Shortly after, she, Wayne, and their newborn son moved to Seattle, Washington. Over the next 8 years, JoAnn, a devoted wife and mother, had two more children, a second son and a daughter while Wayne worked several engineering jobs and went to night school to earn his Engineering degree. In 1965 they welcomed their fourth child, another son.

Throughout her life, JoAnn was involved in her church, was a Cub Scout den mother, attended all her children’s school concerts, soccer games, football games, and extracurricular activities. She worked as a school crossing guard (our brother Eric was so proud) and part time at JC Penney. In 1973, the family moved from Seattle to Lakewood, Colorado and began the next chapter of life. In 1975 she began her long career with Jefferson County Schools. She worked first as a Library Assistant but soon moved to become the attendance secretary at Green Mountain High School. Later she transferred to Alameda High School where she worked again in the library and then became the attendance secretary and finished her career as the principal’s secretary in 1999.

JoAnn and her husband Wayne traversed the country in their small plane visiting family and friends from the late 1970’s until 2011. They also traveled the world visiting Europe, Malaysia, Mexico, Belize, and many other destinations.

Her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchild were her pride and joy. Everywhere she went, her wallet sized photo albums accompanied her.

While she was with us for 90 years, and we will miss her dearly, we know she is now at peace and reunited with Wayne her husband of 71 years and her son, Jeff.

JoAnn was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne and son, Jeffrey August Fry (Linda) of Kenmore, WA. She is survived by her sons, Gregory Wayne Fry (Carolyn) of Bonney Lake, WA and Eric Matthew Fry (Lindsey) of Englewood, CO, daughter Valerie Ann Marbury (Brian) of Castle Rock, CO, 7 grandchildren, Robert Wayne Fry (Emily) of Kent, WA, Erika Lynn Sorenson of Bonney Lake, WA, Erin Marie Fort (Brad) of White House, TN, Andrew Jeffrey Fry (Christine) of Rapid City, SD, Corey Benjamin Fry (Quenita) of Renton, WA, Christopher Charles Marbury of Denver, CO, and Katherine JoAnna Herman (Cedric) of Parker, CO, 7 great grandchildren, and 1 great- great grandchild. 

Mass of Christian Burial: 11:00 am Wednesday, September 24, 2025Good Shepherd Catholic Church 2626 E 7th Avenue Parkway Denver, Colorado 80206. Luncheon Reception immediately following mass

In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in memory of JoAnn Fry https://www.alz.org/