Margaret Jo Ann Pope was born on September 2, 1924, in Des Moines Iowa, the only child of Joseph Arthur and Anna Maude Barr Pope. She was named after her maternal grandmother, Margaret Rebecca Ward Barr, and after both of her parents. She always went by "Jo Ann."

In grades 7-12, in Boone, Iowa, she owned an Icelandic pony, "Spunky." She rode him bareback, without a saddle or bridle, and performed acrobatic stunts on him.

In high school, Jo Ann was a flag twirler and active in Speech.

She graduated from Boone High School in Boone, Iowa, in January 1943.

She studied dance in Boone and Des Moines, Iowa; and in Hollywood and Los Angeles, California. She danced professionally at various nightclubs and at the Hotel Biltmore in the Los Angeles area during World War II.

Jo Ann married Virgil Cooper McVay on June 3, 1946, at the Termino Avenue Methodist Church in Long Beach, Los Angeles County, California. She was widowed on September 22, 1947, 3 weeks before the birth of her daughter, Angela. She lived in Adaza, Iowa, with her parents, and then in Lohrville and Boone, Iowa, before moving to Marshalltown in 1952.

JoAnn taught dancing in Lake City, Iowa, from 1948-1956. She also owned and operated Jo Ann's School of Dance in Marshalltown, from 1952 to 1960, with 300 students at its zenith. She taught tap, ballet, toe, toe tap, jazz, acrobatics, adagio, Hawaiian, and baton; first in the Eagle's Building on S. 2nd Avenue, briefly at Forest Park Ballroom, N. 3rd Avenue, then at the VFW Building at 20 E. State St., lastly at the remodeled Casino Theatre at 207 E. Main St.

Jo Ann married John Roger Mead on June 25, 1958, in Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa. She was the mother of 3 children:

Angela Faith, b. October 12, 1947, Long Beach, California, m. Douglas Brian Marvin

Joseph John, b. December 2, 1961, Marshalltown, Iowa, m. Rae Lovely

Jane Maria, b. December 6, 1966, Seoul, South Korea (adopted)

When Joe and Jane were young, Jo Ann ran an informal daycare out of her home for family and friends, and was a volunteer prenatal counselor for the pro-life organization, Birthright. She was active in both Catholic and interdenominational prayer groups. She loved to visit lighthouses and collected mugs and Angels.

Jo Ann traveled extensively (49 states, Canada, Mexico, Israel, Egypt, and Jordan) throughout her entire life. She learned to drive on the Los Angeles freeway, so she could drive anywhere.

Jo Ann passed away on May 8, 1991, at home in Marshalltown, Iowa, of ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis - Lou Gehrig's Disease), under the care of Iowa River Hospice. Donations were requested for Hospice.

Visitation, Rosary, and Vigil Service were at Pursel-Davis Funeral Home, Marshalltown, May 14-15, 1991. She was buried with her Bible and pen.

Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Marshalltown, on Thursday, May 16. Pastor Fr. Ralph Simington was the celebrant; friend Deacon Irv Vaske, the homilist; Miss Mary Carmody, organist.

Casket bearers: Blair Feller, Phil Grabenbauer, Thomas Richards, Paul Seuferer, Keith Augustine, and Chuck Cahalan.

After gravesite services, there was a reception in St. Mary's Hall.

Submitted by daughter Angela, Member #48520699.