Jo Anne Fatherly of Newburgh, a longtime area resident, passed away on Wednesday, January 16, 2019. She was 77.
Daughter of the late Forrest and Doris Hollis, Jo Anne was born September 17, 1941 in Ohio. She grew up in the Russell, Ohio area before attending Valparaiso University and earning her bachelor’s degree in geography and history. She then married Darby Lynn Fatherly and together they moved to the Newburgh area in 1968 where they raised two daughters, Nicki and Sarah. Professionally, she was a proofreader and editorial assistant for many years, including working for Chess Life magazine. After successfully launching her children, she fulfilled a long-held aspiration by earning a master’s degree in library science, ultimately working for the Wappingers Falls Public Library as a reference librarian. As avid and voracious reader, librarianship was truly her perfect calling.
She was a long-standing and active member of Christ Lutheran Church, serving in various congregational roles over the years.
Jo Anne was an accomplished and talented needle- and craftswoman. She was a longtime member of both the Embroiders Guild of America and Guild for Fiber Arts. Her interests in historic costume and herb lore were expressed through active engagement in the Society for Creative Anachronism.
Survivors include daughters, Nicki Fatherly of Baltimore, Maryland and Dr. Sarah Fatherly of Charlotte, North Carolina, and her sister, Holly Carroll of Tombell, Texas.
A Memorial Service will be held at Christ Lutheran Church, Newburgh, on February 9 at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Jo Anne’s memory may be made to Christ Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 2246, Newburgh, NY 12550.
Arrangements under the direction of Brooks Funeral Home.