April 5, 1940 – Dec. 4, 2018

Local educator Jo Anne Schaack died Dec. 4 after a long battle with cancer.

She was born April 5, 1940 and moved to La Crescenta in 1945. She remained in her family home until her death.

Jo Anne was educated at Holy Redeemer and Our Lady of Lourdes grammar schools, Glendale High School, LA City College and Cal State Northridge. She became a synchronized swimmer and travelled extensively in that sport, eventually swimming in the Pan Am Games in Brazil in 1963, winning gold.

After finishing her education, she began a long career in education and taught for many years at Plainview Elementary in Tujunga. She retired after 33 years of teaching and touched many lives during that time.

In retirement she became a volunteer at The Flowering Tree Religious Books and Gifts in Montrose.

Although Jo Anne never married, she had many children in the students whose lives she impacted, many of whom stayed in touch into adulthood. She was preceded in death by her parents. Family survivors include many cousins and friends who had become family.

A funeral is planned for Monday, Dec. 17 at St. Bede Church, 215 Foothill Blvd. in La Cañada at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Scott Hamilton’s CARES Foundation.