Jo Ann McCormick
Jo Ann McCormick, 78, longtime Madrid, Nebraska resident, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016 at the University of Colorado Hospital Anschutz Pavilion in Aurora, Colorado.
Jo Ann was born Aug. 19, 1938 at Grand Island, Neb., to Roland “Whitey” and Doris (Rice) Gibson.
She graduated from Central City High School with the class of 1956 and went on to attend Kearney State Teacher’s College.
On Jan. 17, 1959, Jo Ann married Jerry “Jug” Mc- Cormick at Winner, South Dakota. The couple made their home in Madrid and their union was blessed with six children.
Jo Ann worked briefly at TRW in Ogallala, Neb., before going to work at Golden Ours Convalescent Home in Grant, Neb., in the mid 1960s. It was at Golden Ours that she came to realize her passion and life’s calling, to live a life in service of others.
Jo Ann found great meaning in the scripture Matthew 25:40: “The King will answer, ‘Truly I say to you, as you have done it for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you have done it for Me.’”
Jo Ann started as a care staff member and played an integral role in the formation of the activity department, eventually working her way into the director position. She had been involved with the activity department for nearly 30 years at the time of her retirement in 2008; over 15 of those years were spent as the activities director.
Even after her retirement, Jo Ann continued to volunteer until her health would no longer allow. In recent years Jo Ann’s life came full McCormick circle as she, herself, became the recipient of wonderful care from her daughter, Angie.
Jo Ann had converted a part of the family home in Madrid into a private assisted living, which she used to care for people who didn’t quite need the full breadth of care that Golden Ours provided. She offered this private care, which she saw as a ministry, for most of her career.
Jo Ann was the proud recipient of the Perkins County Good Neighbor Award at the 2013 Perkins County Fair.
Jo Ann was a woman of great faith, and trust in Jesus. She will be remembered by family and friends for her humility, servant’s heart and powerful dedication to the elderly and disabled.
Jo Ann was preceded in death by her husband in 2001; her parents; and sister, Judy Sharpe.
Survivors include her children: Bryan (Cheri) McCormick of Grant, Rhonda (Tom) Perlinger of Highlands Ranch, Colo., Kyle McCormick of Ogallala, Suzanne McCormick (Rodger Matthews) of Grant, Rachelle (Steve) Gaston of Madrid, Angela (Spencer) Hansen of Madrid; 10 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; brother, Jerry (Shirley) Gibson of Lincoln; brother-in-law, John Sharp of Chesterfield, Missouri; and many other relatives and friends.
Memorials are suggested to the Golden Ours Activity Department in her memory. Condolences may be shared at bullocklongfuneralhome.com, where the services will be streamed live for those unable to attend.
Services will be held on Friday, Dec. 2, 2016 at 2 p.m. at the Grant Evangelical Free Church with Pastor Russ Gaar officiating. A private interment of cremains will be held in the Madrid Cemetery.
Bullock-Long Funeral Home of Grant is in charge of arrangements.