Jo Ann Minner

Dec 2, 1928 - Dec 9, 2018

Jo Ann Minner died unexpectedly of a stroke on December 9th, 2018 in Berkeley, CA, exactly one week after joyously celebrating her 90th birthday with her large family and closest friends. Jo Ann Austin was born in Dallas, TX, but her family returned to California when she was 3, and she spent the next 87 years in Alameda County. A Berkeley High School graduate, she attended UC Berkeley as an English Major and was just units away from graduation when pregnancy and her husband’s recall to service during the Korean war forced her to take leave. Although she never returned to university, she was an avid reader and impressed all who knew her with her keen intellect and articulate wit.

Jo Ann’s primary occupation was as a mother of five children. However, she was very involved in politics, where she worked on campaigns and also spent some time working at Berkeley City Hall with Leo Bach. She served as the NEBA president for many years and remained involved in community, country, and world affairs throughout her life. Jo Ann was a brilliant pianist (a ragtime master!), and a talented writer. She was the accompanist for a local ladies’ chorus for over a decade, and after retiring from that position volunteered to play at local nursing homes until her death.

In 1950, Jo Ann married Ridgeway Harrison and they had three daughters. After Ridge died in 1958, Jo Ann married Richard Minner. Jo Ann and Dick spent the next 42 years together raising four daughters and one son, traveling, staying involved in politics, going to the opera, drinking Minner martinis, and enjoying the company of their many friends.

Jo Ann is survived by her five children: Catherine (Paul) Macdonald, Holly (Manny) Costales, Anne (Ken) Merdinger, Kristen (Steve) Langner, and Richard Todd (Susie) Minner. She is also survived by twelve grandchildren: Robyn and Brion Macdonald, Chris and Kevin Skinner, Tony, Jesse, Kyle and Kelly Merdinger, Bailey, Travis and Dusty Langner, Elliot Minner; and a sister, Mary Lust, of Davis, California, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Her ashes will be scattered at sea in late January. A Celebration of Life will be held on January 26th at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley at 2:00 pm.

Jo Ann was an exceptional human being, a wonderful friend, and an incredible, supportive, loving mom and grandmother. We will miss her vivacious personality and loving presence.