Jo Ann Gast

In loving memory of our mother and sister, Jo Ann Gast,

Jo Ann McGarry Gast, 74, of Avon, passed away on March 21st, surrounded by her family.

Jo Ann, born on March 23rd, 1946 to Bill and Joan McGarry in Bloomington, Indiana immediately brought joy and love into the world. Jo Ann would become the oldest of six children in the McGarry house. She would graduate from University High School in Bloomington and would attend classes at Indiana University where she met Jim Gast. Jo Ann and Jim would marry and bring Terri and Keith into the world.

Jo Ann was a dedicated mother to Terri and Keith. Being a mother was Jo Ann's proudest accomplishment, she was quick to share her pride in both of her children becoming teachers. Family came first and was above all else to Jo Ann, she loved her eleven grandchildren and her great-grandchild.

Known by some as the Ukranian Easter Egg Lady, Jo Ann was a lover of trivia, any type of word puzzle including crosswords and scrabble and never met a craft she couldn't master. Those of us that were beat often in scrabble and other mind-testing games know that she will be giving Alex Trebek fits in final jeopardy now.

Jo Ann was predeceased by her parents and her sisters Jill and Jean. She is survived by her brothers Bill and Phil McGarry and her sister Susan Risk, her children Terri and Keith, her eleven grandchildren and a great grandchild.

The family will have a private memorial for Jo Ann at Spirit of Life church in Clermont, Indiana. In lieu of flowers, friends and family are encouraged to make a donation to Sheltering Wings that can be made at shelteringwings.org.