Jo Ann Spence

Jo Ann (Kennedy) Spence, 78, of Wakeman, Ohio, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family on April 14, 2024 following a courageous battle with brain cancer.

She was born in Whitman, West Virginia on July 18, 1945, the first of three daughters to Joseph and Novella (Browning) Kennedy.

She graduated from Burch High School in Delbarton, West Virginia in 1963. While there, as a teenager, she met her future husband, Thomas Spence, and began a beautiful love story that spanned more than 60 years.

Jo Ann was an exceptionally kind, patient, and loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend who devoted her entire life to her family. Her hobbies included shopping, sewing, reading, traveling, and planning birthday, holiday, and other celebrations for her family.

Those who knew her would agree that her smile was infectious, and she had a way of making everyone around her feel special. The quote “To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die” best describes her kind and loving spirit, which will live on for generations.

Survivors include her devoted husband of 59 years, Thomas, Sr., daughter, Christine (Scott) Soltis of Vermilion, Ohio, son Thomas, Jr. (Kasie) Spence of Miami Beach, Florida, cherished granddaughters Lauren Soltis of Vermilion, Ohio, Allison (Zach) Rogers of Fairview Park, Ohio, beloved grandsons Nathan Spence of Kelleys Island, Ohio, Bradley Soltis of Oberlin, Ohio, and Brian Spence of Cleveland, Ohio, precious great-granddaughters Rowan and Wynnie Rogers, loving sister, Brenda (John) Strunk of Reno Nevada, along with numerous cousins,nieces, and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Novella (Browning) Kennedy, her dear sister Judy Kennedy, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Friends may call Thursday, April 18, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Riddle Funeral Home, 5345 South Street, Vermilion, OH 44089.  Funeral services will be held Friday, April 19, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the Christian Life Church, 3559 W Erie Ave, Lorain, OH 44053.  Interment will take place at Maple Grove Cemetery, Vermilion.

The family would like to thank the nurses of Stein Hospice for their kind and loving care over the past several weeks.

Memorial contributions can be made to Stein Hospice, and the Cancer Services of Erie County.

online condolences maybe made at www.riddlefuneralhome.com