Jo Ann Reppard

Jo Ann Reppard

- - Jo Ann Reppard, the matriarch who held our family together with her determination that each of us would succeed in our own way, passed away on April 6, 2019. She was born in Elmira, New York, on October 1, 1941, sole child of Geraldine Seeley Smith. On October 17, 1964, she married her sweetheart, Michael "Mick" Reppard, with whom she spent the next 55 years.

Jo graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology with a degree in business. In 1977 she and Mick moved their family to Phoenix, Arizona. While in Phoenix, Jo worked for Montgomery Ward and Co. for many years as their top collections agent. When Montgomery Ward went out of business, she began working at Arrowhead Water Company where she quickly climbed the ladder to become Regional Credit Director of all the western states. In 1998 Mick and Jo moved to Grand Junction to retire, where she spent the remainder of her life. For many years she was active in the local Red Hat Society.

Jo's favorite hobby throughout her life was making ceramic articles. Each member of her family benefitted from receiving ceramic gifts that she had fashioned for them. She was very fond of family gatherings, especially Christmas! Christmas was her favorite holiday, during which she spoiled each family member with an over-abundance of special gifts.

She is survived by her husband, Mick (Michael) Reppard; son, Robin Reppard (Barbara Kreis); daughter, Jodi Barbero (Fred); grandson, Austin Reppard (Tava); two granddaughters, Chloe Reppard and Leslie Kreis (Jaylin Glenn); and one great-grandson, Bralen Glenn.

Jo loved the family home on the shore of Seneca Lake outside Elmira, New York, where a portion of her ashes will be scattered in memory of her longtime desire to return there.

There will be a private ceremony for the family to celebrate her life on April 13.