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Juanita McCartney Obituary
November 13, 1937 - July 1, 2025
Juanita Jo Wells McCartney, Age 87, Born November 13, 1937, in Omaha, Nebraska, died July 1, 2025.
Preceded in death by parents, mother Juanita Roberts Wells, father O. Stum Wells, husband Joe McCartney, sisters Camille Wells Slights and Dona Wells Andersen, and nephew Matthew Andersen.
Jo is survived by her daughter Kathleen Schneider and her husband Mark Schneider and grandchild Connor of Los Lunas, New Mexico and grandchildren Ryan, Courtney, of Albuquerque, New Mexico; son Tom and grandchildren Heather, James, Sean and his wife Bailey of Omaha, and great grandchildren Brighton, Leo, Piper, Daelan, and Sawyer of Omaha; brother-in-law Bill Slights of Wolfville, Nova Scotia; niece Jessica Slights and her husband Stephen Ahern of Wolfville, Nova Scotia and children Madeleine and William; nephew Karl Andersen of Cobleskill, New York and his sons Rhys and Ethan of New Jersey; nephew Erik Andersen and wife Eva and their children Liv and Bjourn of Croton-on-Hudson, New York.
Jo earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Working as a teenager, Jo paid for her undergraduate degree by organizing the King of Hearts dance at Peony Park. She taught for a short time in Omaha Public Schools and then transferred to District 66.
Jo suffered a series of strokes that halted her teaching career, but she returned as a volunteer and worked for 29 years with the Omaha Volunteers for Handicapped Children. She served in the special swimming program at various locations and worked with the handicraft fund raising program and served as President. Jo had a leadership role in helping to fund and design the state-of-the-art therapeutic pool which opened in 2018 at J.P. Lord School. She continued for 20 plus more years in the O.V.H.C. Scholarship program.
Jo was a church schoolteacher at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church and was President of the Women of Trinity at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. She served for about 20 years as director of the Trinity Gift Shoppe and supervised the shop remodeling and relocation.
Jo was a volunteer for more than 20 years with the Dean Fricke Food Pantry. She was a founding member of the Omaha Stroke Club and served as its second president. Jo created, with the encouragement of Ak-Sar-Ben and River City Roundup, a Rodeo for children with multiple disabilities to be able to compete before the large Rodeo audience. She was also active in Special Olympics.
This list of accomplishments for Jo is not complete but too long to place in her obituary. Jo's primary and consistently observed attributes, while she lived on this planet, were her love of life, tenacious energy, her unconditional love for all living things, her faith, her unselfishness and always giving acts of kindness, her continued love for all her family, and her peacekeeping hope until her very last breath.
Memorial services will be at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at 11:00 a.m.
Please direct memorials to Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 113 N. 18th Street, Omaha, NE 68102 and/or Nebraska Humane Society 8929 Fort Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68134.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memorial Events
for Juanita McCartney
Memories and Condolences
for Juanita McCartney
13 Entries
Jennie Rose-Woodward
July 27, 2025
I was deeply saddened to hear of Jo´s passing. I will always remember her as a kind and thoughtful woman. Sending prayers for her family.
Kathy Schneider
July 21, 2025
This was the mom that you reach for when sick and in times of celebration. She naturally knew what to say and do and what not to say and do in any situation. She always knew how to help. This was one of her outstanding gifts.
Mom treasured her family and friends. She was welcoming to all, treated everyone with kindness, really listened, and spread happiness.
She always had homemade treats ready, rescued dogs, cats, baby bunnies, squirrels, could mend and sew anything, always knew where everything was in her house, was extremely organized and neat, valued her earthly possessions and kept every gift every given to her, was a great cook, an expert on making Boston Cream Pie, chocolate chip cookies, and southern sweet mint tea, loved going to the YMCA of the Rockies with her family, would coordinate her jewelry, clothes, makeup and hair perfectly, took care of her husband in sickness and health, was present for her first grandchild´s birth, Ryan, and provided lifesaving support when the twins were born and Ryan was one, she never missed her daily calls during my work commute to keep me awake, was a fantastic grandmother and great grandmother and loved to stay up late and play games.
The world is a better place because of my mom. She did important work on this earth and taught by doing. Her lessons of kindness, forgiveness, trying to do your best, accepting and learning from mistakes, and countless more will not be forgotten.
Mary Starr Smith
July 21, 2025
My condolences to Jo's family on their loss. I have so many pleasant memories of the McCartney's at Trinity Cathedral. My late husband, Gene Smith, shared many happy hours on the golf course with Joe and the rest of the Faithful Foursome.
Mark Schneider
July 20, 2025
Jo was an educator at heart and demonstrated the qualities of a great teacher throughout her life. So, in her honor an acrostic poem, it will not be Jo but Juanita.
J Jo was joyful, just, and led a jubilant journey
U Jo was understanding, underrated, and uplifted others
A Jo had an amazing attitude and a sense of adventure
N Jo was nice, a natural with a non-stop list of to-dos, and a nature lover
I Jo showed interest and intrigue with people, places and things
T Jo taught thanks and treasured her tribe
A Appeared calm, ample cookies, and appreciated anything and everything
These are just a few qualities I remember when she was at her best. A role model for others in organization, helping the underserved, asking questions, looking good, cooking skills, the list goes on. Rest in Peace.
Matt Miller
July 20, 2025
This gentle lady was the personification of kindness.
Growing up,I think I spent more time at the McCartney´s house than my own home. Mr.and Mrs. McCartney treated me like I was one of their own beloved children. Her kindness, grace, and affection, and the wonderful times I spent in their company gave me the gift of countless, wonderful memories. I´m so blessed to have known her. I am comforted in knowing that this lovely soul is back from where it came, with the angels.
Robin
July 20, 2025
Robin
July 20, 2025
Courtney Schneider
July 19, 2025
My grandmother Jo is at peace. Everything she accomplished in her life time is small, compared to the amount of love she had for her family. She was the most amazing grandmother anyone could ever imagine. Spending summers in Omaha with her and my grandfather changed my life. I saw how kind she was to strangers, how patient she was with her grandkids, how welcoming she was to her neighbors, and how loving she was to everyone. She was truly a selfless soul. I couldn´t have dreamed for a more perfect grandma.
Robin P
July 19, 2025
Dear, sweet Mrs. Joe, or "JJ" as you were fondly known in our home... the world will be less without you - less kind, less generous, less graceful and less tolerant. You were all of these things and so many more, and you never hesitated to share your talents and gifts with others. It was a lifelong honor to call you my next door neighbor and friend. I will miss you and your beautiful spirit, until we meet again...
Robin
July 19, 2025
Karl Andersen
July 19, 2025
Aunt Jo, welcomed me and my children into her family when her elder sister would not. She was gentle and kind and sharp. She made us all feel proud to be in her family.
Linda Whalen
July 19, 2025
I am so sorry for the loss of your dear mother. She was a beautiful soul inside and out. She was a kind and generous woman who was devoted to her family, community, and our precious animals on earth. She always opened her home and heart to those who had the privilege to know her. I have countless fond memories growing up with your family. May your mother rest in peace. She will be missed.
Mark A Enholm
July 18, 2025
I am so Sorry for your loss. She was a great lady. May God grant your Family his Peace and Understanding.
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