With great sadness we announce the passing of Jo Ann Muriel Clark, a beloved mother, wife, nana, sister, auntie and friend. She passed away on April 2, 2023 at the age of 75.

Jo Ann was born in San Antonio Texas and grew up in a military family, living in various states across the United States as well as in Greece, Italy and finally settling in Rhode Island for high school and college. It was at the University of Rhode Island where she met her lifelong chosen "sister" and best friend Paula Murray. She was the daughter of the late Edward and Rita Martineau. Jo Ann is survived by her two daughters, Heather and Alison Clark, and their loving partners Jeremy Bellion and Jonathan Hislop.  She also leaves behind her grandchildren Marisa, Alexa, Hadley and Oliver, whom she adored.  She is also survived by her brother Bill Martineau who spoke to her nearly every day and her niece Kayla Martineau Maw.

Jo Ann had a passion for caring for others from a young age, which led her to pursue a career in nursing.

After completing her nursing degree, Jo Ann joined the United States Army at the age of 21 and served her country with honor in Vietnam achieving the rank of Captain. It was her service in Vietnam that led her to her dear friend, Karen Schimpf, who introduced Jo Ann to her eventual husband Robert (Bob) Merrill Clark on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire; the two married after just six months and enjoyed 39 years of marriage before his passing in 2012.

Following her time in the military, Jo Ann remained dedicated to her career as a nurse caring for others. She worked tirelessly in hospitals, in hospice care and eventual home care, using her skills to heal and comfort those in need. Her kindness, steady confidence, intellect, gentle yet persistent nature earned her the respect and admiration of her colleagues and patients alike.

In addition to her work as a nurse, Jo Ann had a love of photography, a passion she shared with her husband. She loved to capture the beauty of the world around her through the lens of her camera, often taking long road trips together to capture the foliage or the snow blanketed mountains of New England. Her photographs were plentiful and captured the essence of the places she discovered. She also loved unique varieties of apples and would hunt for the rarest types in remote orchards across New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts delighting in her pursuit and the exact variety she wanted for that perfect apple pie (with homemade crust of course).

Jo Ann loved her family and prioritized family time; from barbeques at the lake, blueberry picking at Cole Pond, kickball in the backyard, cooking in the kitchen, game nights on the porch, including cribbage, which was one of her favorite games and the avenue she used to teach her young daughters math skills, a lifelong affinity that stuck. She was also an avid reader, and she could always be found immersed in a book.

Above all, Jo Ann was a loving mother to her two daughters, Heather and Alison and a doting nana to her four grandchildren. She instilled in them a strong work ethic, a passion for caring for others, and unconditional family love. She and Bob were her daughters' biggest supporters and championed them in all their endeavors, from youth to adulthood.

She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday June 3rd from 1:00-4:00 PM in the Enfield Shaker Museum, 447 Nh Rte 4a, Enfield, NH 03748.  All friends, family and community members who knew her are welcome to attend.