Jo Ann Albers
May 26, 1937 - November 14, 2022
- Share:
Jo Ann Albers
May 26, 1937 - November 14, 2022
Obituary
Jo Ann Albers, 85, of Bellingham, Washington, passed away November 14, 2022.
Jo Ann was born in 1937 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, to Tena and Vincent Bevon. She is survived by sons David (Robin) and Eric, brothers John (Joan) and Leo (Anne). She was preceded in death by her husband Jim in 1996 and brother Bernard (Janice).
Jo Ann was raised during the Depression and attended parochial school through high school, graduating at the top of her class in 1955. She played piano and basketball during that time as well as studying poetry and public speaking. She went on to earn her RN certification at Hotel Dieu Hospital in New Orleans, LA. Upon graduation she began her nursing career with the US Public Health Service and continued working on her Bachelor’s in Nursing at Loyola University in New Orleans. In 1958 she transferred to the US Public Health Service office in Atlanta, GA and continued working on her bachelor’s degree at Emory University.
In 1959, one of Jo Ann’s friends was moving to Seattle for a new job. She accompanied her on the road trip and fell in love with the Northwest. She learned of a job opening at the Northwest Kidney Center and applied. The center was doing research on developing an artificial kidney for chronically ill patients. She was hired. Jo Ann was an integral part of the research team, and a pioneer in Dialysis Nursing. She developed many of the techniques for this emerging treatment and wrote the first textbook on Dialysis Nursing. It was here that she met Jim Albers, who was one of the first kidney dialysis patients and a physics professor at Seattle University. He and Jo Ann began dating and went on to marry in 1961. She completed her Bachelor’s and Master’s in Nursing at the University of Washington.
The family moved to Ferndale in 1970, where she began a long career at St. Joseph’s Hospital, culminating in her position as Director of Nursing until retiring in 1998.
She was the ultimate mother and grandmother. She was the matriarch of her and Jim’s extended family and host of many family gatherings. She was a wonderful cook and loved to bake. Her table was open to all. She was active in the PTA, she volunteered as Den Mother, chaperoned daytrips and campouts and supported everyone’s dreams and aspirations. She was very outspoken in daily life and very politically active throughout her life.
Her greatest joy during retirement was spending time with her grandchildren, Benjamin, and Samuel, who she absolutely adored.
She will be dearly missed by her surviving family and all who knew her.
14 responses to Jo Ann Albers
Marta Hand says:
November 18, 2022
Dear Albers family so sorry to hear about your Mom’s passing. Always loved her practicality and outspokenness. Fond memories of coffee at the Ferndale Bakery and cooking at German camp. Peace and love to you all.
Marta Hand
Sally Allen says:
November 18, 2022
So sorry Eric and David. I never forgot when she read us The Hobbit. Very kind!
Judy Harmon Smith says:
November 19, 2022
JoAnn played a starring role in the history and culture of St. Joseph Hospital over her many years in nursing leadership. She made time for everybody, she talked fast and she moved fast. She got down to solutions right away. JoAnn was a great humanitarian, and it was typical of her that she would pull out her own checkbook to pay for a prescription that an emergency patient was supposed to pick up on the way home. And she was fun! Her lunch table in the cafeteria was alive with debate and sharing of healthcare lore that allowed caregivers to laugh and de-stress for a few minutes. Such a great lady! My sincere condolences to David, Eric and their family.
Tara Benson says:
November 19, 2022
Very well said.
Dan Kenoyer says:
November 19, 2022
One of the greatest people I’ve ever had the great fortune to call a friend. JoAnn came into my life during the best and worst of times. Could always talk about life with her and count on a laugh , a tear and sound advice. We did intellectual battle at times , consoled each other at times , studied together at times I always came away better for our time together. Lost touch in recent years but returned to my thoughts often. Have a great journey in the next life I know I and many more were better for having you in our lives and you will be missed. Goodbye great lady.
Kathie Wilson says:
November 19, 2022
Big hugs to David, Robin, Ben, and Sam! I loved getting to know Joann through you. She was such a dear soul..and what a loving Grandmother. Thinking of you all at this sad time, Kathie