Jo Ann Sinco "Big Mama" Schlitt

Jo Ann Sinco Schlitt "Big Mama"

Vero Beach, FL

Jo Ann Sinco Schlitt, 79 of Vero Beach, FL died on November 29th after a fiery fight with pancreatic cancer. A resident of Vero Beach since 1960. She was born November 2, 1938 to Katherine and Jorge Cuellar and later adopted by Russell Sinco.

Married to Robert Schlitt for more than 59 years, mother of 14+ children including Peggy (predeceased), sister of Andrea (deceased) and Russell (Denise) Sinco, grandmother of 21, great-grand mother of 7 (one on the way) and Foster Mother of over 400 children. In the 1970's she was a matriarch of the newly established Division of Youth Services (DYS) in Vero Beach. Jo Ann was the connection to Vero's teen scene.

It all started in McAnsh Park when the neighborhood paperboy told Jo Ann his mother was moving to Phoenix and he planned to stay behind to surf. She was granted legal guardianship which started her passion for foster parenting. Jo Ann's biggest asset was 'Listening' to the teens. She made them feel wanted and important. The paperboy, like so many of his teenage friends, were struggling to discover why their parents who grew up with nothing in the '30's and war in the 40's were so buried in their careers and didn't take time to discover the special people their children were.

As soon as Jo Ann and Bob 'Big Daddy' moved in to a larger home on State Road 60 (20th Street), teens were 'Crashing Out' on the living room couches and in the rehabbed garage. As long as they would talk to Big Mamma and allow her to evaluate their underlying problems, they could stick around for a few days and she would counsel them and try to mend the gap with their parents. Soon they were a foster home for the DYS and Vero's children from strained or disrupted homes flowed in and out. During this period of time, as many as 23 people lived in the home at one time.

Dinner was mandatory and Big Mamma was a pro. Last night's spaghetti quickly became chili the next night, and then sloppy joes for the following lunch. Sometimes never leaving the giant restaurant sized pot.

Her Cuban, Miami roots taught her sewing skills that rival the best out there and she was the thriftiest housewife in Vero. One trip to Lion Country Safari included all the girls in homemade faux giraffe fur dresses and the boys in faux alligator skin pants and vests. No one was ever turned away, one trip all the way to Canada included a neighbor making it a total of 11 in a VW van with a pull behind camper for a month.

Her Catholic beliefs were instilled in everyone around her. As chaos of the 17+ member household grew, she used the beach as an easy way to appease large crowds. Her days were filled with phone calls from people reaching out needing direction. Once a friend called and said 'I just shot myself' a manic depressive that hadn't been diagnosed was told by Jo Ann to keep talking into the phone and yelled "BOB go next door and call an ambulance". The woman lived and remained a close friend for many more years.

She raised everyone under the belief of 'be yourself' do what you feel is right yet be aware of the consequences of your actions. Every child was allowed to go their own direction and they all have excelled in their professions.

Jo Ann Schlitt wanted everyone to get along and refused to allow anyone to have a negative attitude or feel left out. She started a biannual mandatory Christmas vacation that has included over 50 of her descendants taking a chartered bus to various locations around Florida for 4 days.

Once the kids were grown, Jo Ann and Bob hit the roads to see the country, getting to all states except Alaska. Stop in's to or from family, were continuous. Fitting with the 70's "Peace and Love" theme they found respite in their home in the Blue Ridge Mountains, their piece of "Heaven on Earth".

A viewing and wake service will be held on Monday, December 4th from 5-8 pm (service at 7:30) and a funeral on Tuesday, December 5th at 10 am, both will be held at St. Helen Catholic Church with reception to follow at the Heritage Center (2140 14th Ave., Vero Beach). Join us in wearing bright colors, Polynesian attire, Guayaberas and the like. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the charity of your choice.

Arrrangements under the guidance of Strunk Funeral Homes.