Josephine "Jo" McLeod
July 02, 1927 - February 07, 2020
Bellingham, WA
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Josephine "Jo" McLeod
July 02, 1927 - February 07, 2020
Bellingham, WA
Obituary
Josephine McLeod, 92, of Bellingham, WA passed away February 7, 2020.
Jo was born in Stephens City, Virginia, on July 2, 1927 to Elsie Rebecca Wingert and Frank Joseph Felker.
Josephine graduated from Temple University in Philadelphia with a degree in Dental Hygiene. She worked as a dental hygienist for 52 ½ years.
Jo took her pilot’s license when she was still in her teens. She was a world traveler with numerous trips abroad, including a year spent circumnavigating the globe with her beloved sister Mary. Jo’s final trip was a week in New York City with her son Dan and his partner Alex, less than 90 days before she died. She was fiercely independent from the time she was a young single mother until her final day. She was a faithful church-goer and a member of St. James Presbyterian Church in Bellingham. She had a brilliant smile, an unerring sense of style and a great sense of humor. She was generous, contributing to many different charities with particular compassion for endangered animals and disadvantaged people.
She is survived by her sons, Peter S Suni and Daniel M Kaplan; her granddaughters Claire Suni and Bryn Suni; and her great-granddaughter Saskia Suni Lensing.
Donations may be made in her honor to World Vision International.
5 responses to Josephine "Jo" McLeod
Lora M Eckert says:
February 17, 2020
Dear Jo’s Family,
I was fortunate to know Jo slightly. She was a great friend of and to my mother. They used to sit together in church and I believe Jo helped my mother get to St. James after she became more frail. When my mother died, Jo took a forlorn and neglected orchid stem that had been my mother’s and brought it back to life, and treated it as a kind of remembrance, which was kind becuase the only reason it was living and blooming again was because of Jo’s attentive gardening care.
I knew Jo as elegant and amiable. I was fortunate to hear about her travelling to Cuba–when it was still legal–and her cruise to Alaska with her family.
She is someone I will always remember with fondness and admiration, and with a smile for
such a fine woman.
With sympathy,
Lora M> Eckert
Julianne A Keyes says:
February 19, 2020
I knew Jo from St. James Presbyterian Church. She was so friendly and smartly dressed, sharing her tips
on how to find designer fashions in consignment shops. When our son was a middle schooler, she
hired him for a summer job mowing her lawn. This was in response to our posting a want ad in the
St. James newsletter. We are thankful for her support of families of raising boys!
She often spoke of her love of travel and of her sister, with whom she made many trips. She will be missed.
Char Lukes says:
February 21, 2020
Jo was my friend. A workmate, travel companion, shopping partner, tea time, anytime and consultant in any conversation. She dressed me for more than one, out of my classi celebrations. I will miss her encouragement, love and remarkable mind.,
Until we meet again.
Char
The Rev. Dr. Nina George-Hacker says:
March 3, 2020
I will miss my Aunt Jo. She was smart, beautiful, stylish, creative, and funny! Even to the end, she had a great (wry) sense of humor and told good jokes that always cheered me up. When I was a child and stayed at her house in summers, she was a loving “mom” to me, and her youngest son, Daniel, was the brother I never had. Jo had a strong Christian faith, so I am certain she is with the Lord and at peace. May her life long be remembered and celebrated! My prayers for comfort are with all the family, friends, neighbors, and fellow church-members that cared for her.
Kris and Jean Hamilton says:
March 11, 2020
Dear Kaplan/Suni Family,
Jo was our neighbor on Mason Street for several years. We enjoyed her so much; Valentine and Amie, not so much, what yippy little dogs. On the other hand, we remodeled our house and then realized it loomed over hers, so we were even. Hi to Danny; I’m so glad she got to visit you! Hi to Pete; our daughter was so in love with you when she was 18 months old and you were working on the house. Heidi, dear friend, do you know she asked us to pray for you when your lovely daughters were born; we were happy to, and it was always a joy to see pictures as they grew up. I’m sorry we won’t be able to be at her service, but we’ll be there in spirit. Blessings on you all,
Kris and Jean