Joann (Jo) Marie Croot, 58

“JO-MOMMA” Joann M. Croot, born in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, on 26 January 1955, went to our Lord on 21 December 2013, at Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle, WA. “SWMBO” (She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed) as she was lovingly known, fought malignant melanoma for almost three years.

Jo attended Immaculate Heart of Mary and Coeur d’Alene Senior High School, graduating in 1973. She received her Registered Nurse degree at St. Patrick’s School of Nursing and the University of Montana in Missoula, MT, in 1976. Jo then followed her husband, Pete, through his 23 year Army career. She had RN or DNS positions in Stuttgart, West Germany; Pullman, Port Angeles, Lynnwood and Seattle, WA; as well as Sandpoint, ID.

“Jo-Momma” loved riding our Goldwing, and was active in both the Southern Cruisers Riding Club and the Patriot Guard Riders of Washington and Idaho. She was Pete’s “Back-Seater” for 42 years. She also loved camping, fishing, traveling, photography, cooking, sewing, Basset Hounds, her cat, friends, family, all holidays, summer, and our Lord. She also “tolerated” snow skiing.

To her friends and coworkers, she was one of the kindest, most remarkable souls that they ever met.

Jo was preceded in death by her father, Thomas J. Hebert, and her mother Ruby Bronzie Hebert. She is survived by her husband Pete, of 38 years, Lynnwood, WA; her son Robert T. Croot, 32, also of Lynnwood; three grandchildren: Ashton, age 10; Mikah, age 8; and Jacqualyn, age 6; her younger brother, Steve Hebert, Spokane, WA; younger brother Bill Hebert, Moscow, ID; younger sister Susan James, Layton, UT; and youngest sister, Anita Dinning, Chatterow, WA; and many other in-laws, nephews and nieces.

At Jo’s request, a Celebration of Life will be held on 8 August 2014 (time to be determined), at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery, Medical Lake, WA. Jo wanted the Celebration of Life to be in summer time, so the motorcycle riders have an easier ride! Email contact for the Celebration of Life will be: [email protected].