JoAnn’s younger sister, Rhonda Mann, has been a good friend of mine for almost 30 years. For those of you who hadn’t gotten a chance to attend JoAnn Mann’s memorial service in November, I have included it here:
JoAnn Mann died November 1, 2010 in Seattle Washington. She was 53.
Jo-Ann was Eagle-Thunderbird, Shangukeidi from the House Lowered from the Sun, of Klukwaan, Alaska. Her Tlingit name is Kaaxaati.
JoAnn was graced with beauty, love, strength, compassion, exceptional intelligence and independence. She passed away while sleeping, of natural cause. She exceeded life expectancy by nearly 30 years. One of her favorite books and one she recommend to all her family was The Power of your Sub Conscious Mind, by Joseph Murphy, Ph.D.,DD. Her most recent favorite song was Beautiful sung by Christina Aguilera.
JoAnn was born in Juneau, Alaska June 25, 1957.
She graduated from JD High School in 1976 then moved to Seattle, where she made her home in the city. She also attended the Ann Carson Crippled Children’s school in Jamestown, North Dakota, from 1970 to 1972, where she learned how to handle and adjust to her condition of cerebral palsy.
Seattle offered her ease of access for her everyday living, combined with concerts, fairs, and events of all kinds including the Blue Angles air show, which she so much enjoyed. Her family were the very most important people to her, alongside her partner Lane Culver, whom she loved and lived with for more than 25 years.
The family is forever grateful to Lane, and also to Dr. Moss, who regularly drove Jo to school. The family also recognizes Mike Keen, who was a friend of Jo’s in High School and who proudly held her arm and walked with Jo to receive her High School Diploma.
JoAnn studied various languages which included Spanish and Russian. She was a member of the Baha’i faith, and also learned that language. She had an astounding memory – you only needed to tell her something once, and she would never forget it.
Absolutely nothing held her down or kept her from doing what she set out to do or going where she wanted to go, she was unstoppable, and her electric wheel chair became an extension and form of expression of her mobility, determination and independent personal strength. If a family member was ever in “need” she was there, and would give and share all that she could. She was filled with life and vigor, love and laughter, wisdom and emotions without shame or embarrassment. She understood and embraced all of what is important in one’s life, and especially the very special love, support, strength and compassion of her family.
JoAnn taught everyone the ability to empathize, to remain strong and independent.
Jo will live on forever in the hearts and minds of all who were blessed to have been touched by her pure love and energy. She is with us all in all ways, shapes, and forms, and she always will be.