Jo Ann Anderson

Jo Ann D. Anderson

06/02/1939 - 12/12/2024

Jo Ann Anderson of Bainbridge Island, Washington, passed away on December 12, 2024, after a brief stay at the nearby St Michael Medical Center. She was 85 years old and had been undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer.

Jo Ann was born Josephine Anne Davis on June 2, 1939, to Mary (Travis) and Roy Davis. Her father was a member of the Gros Ventre tribe, and her Native American heritage was a lifelong source of pride to Jo Ann, even though her parents divorced when she was very young. Jo Ann and her mother moved to Libby, MT, where Mary would meet and ultimately marry Robert J. Wilkes on Christmas Eve, 1943, when Jo Ann was four. The new family settled in Libby, where she was the only child at home until a baby sister, Deanna, joined the family. Jo Ann attended elementary and junior high school in Libby and graduated from Libby Senior High in 1957.

While a part of her heart would always remain in Montana, Jo Ann set out as a young woman for San Diego, California, where the defining years of her life would be spent. In southern California, she forged a path to her impressive career of over 50 years in business administration and major gift fundraising. She was Vice President of Development at the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla and held senior appointments at the University of California campuses at both San Diego and Riverside, as well as with private organizations that include the Neurosciences Institute in La Jolla, and the Alzheimer’s Association.

Jo Ann was briefly married in the early 1960’s, but subsequently defied expectations and remained single for the rest of her life. Teenaged Deanna came to live with Jo Ann in La Jolla for several years, beginning in 1970. The special bond these years created would continue for the rest of their lives.

In addition to having enjoyed a rich social and professional life in southern California, Jo Ann believed strongly in community service. She was Founding Executive Director of The San Diego River Park Foundation and a member of its Board for many years; she also served on the Board of the San Diego Zoo and as a court-appointed juvenile advocate.

Following successful treatment for cancer, Jo Ann retired in 2017 from her position as Development Officer at UC Riverside. She moved north to Poulsbo, Washington, making her home in the little waterfront community of Lemolo. She continued to keep in touch with her good friends from Riverside and San Diego and to consult with non-profit organizations for fundraising and capacity-building. She also sought out opportunities to be involved with local non-profits that enhance people’s lives and built wonderful new connections and friendships through her volunteer work with Second Season and Fishline in Poulsbo. Jo Ann was honored to be appointed to Fishline’s Board of Directors, on which she served through 2024.

Jo Ann was a seasoned traveler, exploring exotic cultural destinations and many of the world’s great cities. She continued to travel in retirement, but also enjoyed the quieter life at her bayside home, where she wrote, gardened, painted, created pottery and glass art pieces, and spent time with her two Pekingese dogs. At the time of her pancreatic cancer diagnosis in 2024, she was working on a book explaining fundraising principles to young academics, and continuing a series of articles for the UCR Botanic Gardens illustrating the impacts of plants on human affairs and civilization. In the fall of 2024, she moved from Poulsbo to nearby Bainbridge Island, WA, where Deanna and her husband live. Deanna is grateful that they could be so close during this time. She was with Jo Ann during her recent hospitalization and holding Jo Ann’s hand during her last moments on earth.

Thus, Jo Ann is survived by her younger sister, Deanna Wilkes-Gibbs, of Bainbridge Island, WA, and her family; her older half sister, Ione Bell of Harlem, MT, and her family; the children of Robert and Jeanie Wilkes, including Anthony Wilkes of Granite Falls, WA; Amy Williams of Libby MT; Dave Wilkes; and their families.

Jo Ann wished to be cremated and did not want a funeral or formal memorial observance. But she touched many hearts during her remarkable life, and will be very dearly missed by family and friends alike. The family believes that an opportunity in the springtime for sharing remembrances would be both fitting and appreciated. More details will be provided here as the time gets closer.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to Fishline in Jo Ann’s honor would be a meaningful remembrance.