JoAnn Louise Barlow, 87, passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, December 29, 2024 at Wedgewood Assisted Living in Mansfield.
She was born on September 2, 1937, the first daughter of the late Frank and Agnes (née Contra) Brucato in Mansfield, Ohio where JoAnn continued to live a very full and joyful life.
At the age of 4 years old, JoAnn began her education journey at St. Peter’s School, graduating at the age of 16. She was the youngest of her peers, but it didn’t stop her from enjoying a vibrant social life! Her senior year in high school, JoAnn’s younger sister, Mary Ellen, was born and JoAnn often said it was the highlight of her young life. She adored being an older sister and was sad to leave for college since it meant being away from home. She attended Ohio Dominican College and studied piano and education. After graduation, she traveled the world with her best friends Bev (née Giesige) Magee and Adeline (née Nucifora) Grillo before settling into a career as a teacher with Mansfield City Schools for 30 years where she loved watching children come alive with knowledge.
JoAnn married William Barlow and they shared 19 years together. During her life, JoAnn thrived when she was playing music, painting and spending time at Lake Erie. She loved lighthouses and would often sketch and paint the Marblehead lighthouse. JoAnn loved collectibles and filled her home with figurines and mementos of her trips and passions. Following her retirement from Mansfield City Schools, Jo Ann worked at a collectible shop, which supported her love of figurines and later at the Lexington Branch of the Mansfield Richland Public Library. JoAnn made friends every where she went and loved the ability to continue to have an impact in young lives through her work at the library.
In her true retirement years, JoAnn spent her time with her St. Peter’s Bible study group, Catholic Women’s Club and friends. She loved taking trips out of town and visiting with her loved ones. Later in life, JoAnn’s companion, Earl Hershey, was her favorite dance partner and for years they enjoyed cutting a rug at various functions.
Jo Ann is survived by her niece Laura (Matthew) Burns and nephews Christopher (Stephanie) and Chandran Higgins. She is also survived by her great nieces, Sylvia Burns and Hailey and Victoria Higgins, great nephews, Liam Burns and Connor Higgins, God Daughters, Anita (Mike) Knuckles and Antionette Morbitt, her caregiver and friend, Barbara Damron and many cousins on the Brucato and Contra sides of her family.
In addition to her parents, JoAnn is proceeded in death by her sister, Mary Ellen (née Brucato) Higgins and most recently, her cousin Nancy (née Brucato) Grogg and her aunt, Josephine (née Cappadonna) Contra.
Funeral Mass will be held at St. Peter’s Church, 60 S. Mulberry Street, Mansfield, Ohio on Friday, January 3, 2025 at 11am. Calling hours will be at 10, at the church prior to the service. Following the burial, at Mansfield Cemetery, St. Peter’s will host a luncheon at the Franciscan Activity Center.
JoAnn’s family wishes to extend their gratitude to the staff at Winchester Nursing home, Wedgewood Assisted Living and Southern Care Hospice for their compassionate and professional care of JoAnn throughout her last year of life.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mansfield Richland County Public Library. https://www.mrcpl.org/about/support/
Herlihy Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
www.herlihyfh.com
Funeral Home: Herlihy Funeral Home
Website: www.herlihyfh.com