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Jo Ann Shotwell of Bryn Mawr, PA, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away on April 12th, 2025, at the age of 91. Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, April 23, at the Chapel of Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church. Jo Ann is survived by her husband, Donald; her two children, John Shotwell and Barbara Shotwell, MD; her daughter-in-law, Janet Shotwell and her son-in-law, Richard Buonocore, MD; her five grandchildren: Christopher Shotwell, Justin Shotwell, Brynn Buonocore, Cal Buonocore, and Cameron Buonocore, and her great-grandchild, Saysha Blakely Shotwell. Jo Ann was born in Delaware, OH, on October 25, 1933, and spent much of her early life in the state. After graduating from Ohio University in 1956 with a degree in Secretarial Studies, Jo Ann married her college sweetheart, Donald Shotwell, on June 23, 1956. Throughout her life, Jo Ann pursued many professions, with experiences ranging from working at a law firm to serving as the Executive Secretary to Carl Mayer, the VP of the Oscar Mayer Corporation. She also devoted several years to raising her children, John, and Barbara, who were the light of her life. Jo Ann and Donald shared a remarkable journey together, admired by all who knew them. Their shared story began at Ohio University, where they spent much of their free time together, walking hand-in-hand across campus. Post-graduation and through many years of Air Force relocations, Jo Ann and Donald continued their adventures before eventually settling in Bryn Mawr, PA; a home the two shared throughout their life together. Their marriage is remembered as a beacon of enduring love and unwavering partnership. Jo Ann and Donald shared a love of travel, exploring both internationally and domestically, and with a particular fervor for National Parks, historic cities, and Avalon, NJ. It was in Avalon where they eventually purchased their second home - a sentimental place between the two where they spent most of their summers taking long beach walks and enjoying the sunsets (and a good glass of wine...or two). Jo Ann also cherished the time she and Donald spent at their condo in Irvine, CA, acquired during Donald's West Coast consulting work. Their adventures extended to Europe, where Jo Ann particularly enjoyed a trip to the historic city of Florence, Italy. One of her favorite memories was attending a cooking school in the Italian countryside, which unintentionally prepared her for the band of Italian in-laws she inherited through her daughter, Barbara's, marriage. Jo Ann was a loving and devoted mother and grandmother, who cherished every opportunity to be with her family. Throughout her life, she enjoyed a very close relationship with her children and grandchildren and is remembered for her unwavering support for their education, and their personal and professional pursuits. Whether it was attending school theater productions or traveling for sporting events, Jo Ann enthusiastically participated in and encouraged her family's interests - one time even going as far as to take up downhill skiing as a novice just to join John and Barbara on the slopes. As she put it, “it was fun just being there with them.” Jo Ann and Donald enjoyed a special relationship with their grandchildren as well, making annual visits to the West Coast to visit Chris and Justin, or hosting weekly dinners/sleepovers with their local grandkids, Brynn, Cal, and Cameron. Some of Jo Ann's favorite memories with her grandkids were taking them to Legoland in California, baking them pumpkin pies and cookies for the holidays, and watching her grandchildren become the wonderful people they are today. Although Jo Ann was an only child, she left this world surrounded by an ever-growing family that will carry her spirit on for years to come. She is remembered by relatives -- both by blood and through marriage -- as a beacon of light in the family, and the center of countless cherished memories. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Jo Ann’s honor to the Ohio University Foundation, reflecting her lifelong passion for education. https://give.ohio.edu/how

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Jo Ann Shotwell

October 25, 1933 - April 12, 2025