JoAnn Hart Lovatt

From the cotton fields of east Texas to classrooms in Chengdu, China, Jo Ann lived a life filled with hard work and adventure. Born in Edgewood, Texas, Jo Ann was the third child of Roger Clyde and Verba Martin Hart. She grew up in rural east Texas and graduated from Emory High School (Texas). She traveled with her family to Astoria, Oregon where her father worked at Tongue Point mothballing naval ships from World War II. While working at Singer Sewing Machine, she met Edward Lovatt and married him in 1950 beginning a union that would last over 62 years. The newlyweds moved to Portland and raised three sons, William, Robert and Bradley, with Jo Ann handling the domestic duties. Jo Ann enjoyed oil painting and caring for her treasured roses. When her sons entered high school, Jo Ann entered Portland State University where she earned a BA in English and an MA in Special Education. She spent five years teaching Special Education at Marylhurst College before moving to Ogden Middle School in Oregon City where she taught English and Social Studies for 17 years. The highlights of her career included a trip to Europe with her colleagues and a summer teaching English in China. Retiring from teaching in 1995, Jo Ann and Edward moved to Astoria and built their dream home on a hill overlooking the Young's River. They enjoyed life in Astoria, visiting with friends, attending the Church of Christ and working as volunteers at the Flavel House. In 2008, Edward and Jo Ann sold their property and moved back to Portland. Jo Ann enjoyed living at Holladay Park Plaza where she made many friends and enjoyed exercise classes, musical concerts and spending time with Edward. She was well known for her pretty hats, her radiant smile and common refrain: "I'm doing pretty well today." Jo Ann is survived by her husband, sons, brother Roger Hart of Emory, Texas, sister Loretta Oakley of New Richmond, Wisconsin, and grandchildren Darius, Emily, Jacob, Joseph and Lillie Lovatt.