Josephine “Jo” (Wells) Hess
Josephine “Jo” (Wells) Hess, 85, of Brownsville, Pa. passed away Friday, October 16, 2009 at the Golden Living Center in Uniontown, Pa. She was born June 22, 1924 in Brownsville, Pa., the daughter of the late Boyd and Josephine (Parks) Wells.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her sister Ann Frandorf.
Jo earned her BA Degree from Denison University, Gramville, Ohio. Returning to college full time in her mid 40’s she earned a Master’s in Library Science from Wayne State University in Detroit, plus an Associates Degree in Gerontology from the University of Michigan.
Her work took her into areas filled with excitement, intrigue, knowledge and insight. Her first position was as secretary to the president of International Village and 8 Block Book Restoration Project in downtown Detroit. Moving up the ladder, she became the registrar for the School of Arts and Industrial Design. The big three automobile companies had some of their top designers on staff there. When an opening with the Detroit Library System became available, the thought of commandeering a book mobile spoke to her. Everyday was filled with intrigue.
In 1975 after moving to Vermont, she joined the staff of the Vermont State Hospital as a Research Librarian to the Psychiatric Division. Vermont was the first state to return residents to the community. These were exciting times and because of her knowledge of books and authors she was offered the Library of Congress Talking Book Program.
In Vermont many outstanding personalities summered there. Jo was exposed to most interesting people. One that impressed her the most was the Baroness Von Trapp from the “Sound of Music”.
She will be sadly missed by her husband Robert Hess, Brownsville, Pa., son Peter Wells Hess and wife Mary, Merrimac, Mass., daughter Susan Chamberlain and husband Douglas, Burlington, Vt., nephew Fredrick Warner, Richmond, Va. and great nephew Theodore Warner, Beverly, Mass.
Friends will be received in the NOVAK FUNERAL HOME 515 Front Street, Brownsville, Pa. Tuesday, October 20, 2009 from 2 – 4 and 6 – 8 p.m. and Wednesday, October 21 from 2 – 4 and 6 – 8. A Funeral Service will be held following viewing on Wednesday at 8 p.m. in the funeral home
Memorial Contributions can be made in Jo’s name to Crosskeys Human Services, Inc. at 302 Shaffner Ave., Brownsville, PA 15417; Goodwill at 40 Connellsville St., Uniontown, PA 15401; Interfaith Care Givers 137 N. Beeson Ave. Suite 106, Uniontown, PA 15401 or PAWS in care of Duck Hollow Animal Hospital 725 Duck Hollow Rd. EXT, Uniontown, PA 15401.
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