BUCKINGHAM, PA — Jo Anne Smyre Bescherer, of Buckingham, died peacefully in her home on October 27, 2012, following a long courageous battle with Parkinson's disease.
Jo Anne was the wife of David H. Bescherer for fifty-three years.
Born in Greensboro, NC, Jo Anne was the daughter of the late Paul S. and Daisy Webb Smyre.
Jo Anne graduated from Guilford High School in North Carolina and attended the former Woman's College of the University of North Carolina, now known as UNC-Greensboro.
Jo Anne lived much of her life in Buckingham but also enjoyed her summers in Ocean Isle Beach, NC.
Jo Anne was well known among her friends as a warm, compassionate person who enjoyed using her cooking and hospitality skills to entertain in her home. She also managed and prepared dinners and receptions in the churches to which she belonged. No one left one of Jo Anne's events hungry. They were often in awe of her culinary talents, however, and hoped for an encore. Her skills become more widely known when she was featured in a series in The Doylestown Intelligencer called Neighbor's Kitchen. She was also an avid tennis player and a dedicated gardener.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by her three children and their spouses, Lisa of Boise, ID, Paul of Plano, TX, and Jennie of Chalfont, PA, as well as six much-loved grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Pat Huffine, three brothers, Paul Smyre, Walter Smyre, and John Smyre, her brother-in-law, Ed, Bescherer, their spouses, and many nephews and nieces.
Family and friends are invited to share in celebrating Jo Anne's life at a memorial service 2:30 p.m. Thursday, November 8 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 301 North Main Street, Doylestown.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Jo Anne's name may be made to: The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY, 10163-4777.
Reed and Steinbach Funeral Home, Doylestown www.reedandsteinbach.com
