Jo-Ann “Jo-Momma” Wells, 61, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 25th 2018 at University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), after a short battle with cancer.

Jo was born September 16th in Juneau, Alaska, where she grew up with two older siblings — a brother and sister — until she ventured to San Francisco in 1982 with her husband. She received her BS in accounting and was soon employed by public works.

In 1994 she relocated to McKinleyville with her husband and two sons, where she spent her last 25 years continuing to raise a family and actively being involved in the community from activities such as helping host Boy Scouts events and becoming a member of the Joyful Healer church, where she served as a member and treasurer. She was a Humboldt County employee for the Parks and Recs department for the last 17 years.

She was the youngest of three and a wonderful mother of two. Jo enjoyed reading, going to plays, playing Scrabble and Tetris, walking and collecting seashells on the beach, spending time with her church, friends and family.

Jo continued to give back, even after death, by being an organ donor in hopes that other people can benefit from her and she was cremated shortly after.

A service will be held on Sunday June 24th at the Joyful Healer 1944 Central Ave. in McKinleyville, with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Joyful Healer. One of Jo’s final requests to celebrate her life was to have a bonfire with twice-baked potatoes, which will be the same evening.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Jo Wells’ family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.