Jo Ann Morrison

Jo Ann (Brick) Morrison was born on July 5, 1946, in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin daughter to Caryl and Warren Brick and sister to Tom and Terry. She spent her earliest years in Wisconsin before beginning a childhood that would take her and her family across the country.

When she was nine, her family moved to Arlington, Texas, where her father attended North Texas State University. A few years later, at age twelve, the family moved again—this time to Flint, Michigan, after her father was transferred there for his work with American Bakers. She spent four years in Michigan before another move brought the family to St. Louis, Missouri, when she was sixteen.

In St. Louis, she attended St. Thomas Aquinas for her junior and senior years of high school. It was there that she met Barbie Abraham and Sue King, beginning friendships that would last a lifetime. After graduating, she attended Florissant Valley Community College for a semester before her family headed west to California.

At nineteen, she moved to Campbell, California, where she attended West Valley College and then San Jose State University. Eventually, she made her way to Southern California and continued her education at Long Beach State, graduating in 1969 with a degree in nursing.

Her nursing degree marked the beginning of not only her professional life, but also one of the most important chapters of her personal life. She began her career as a nurse at the Long Beach VA, and in 1970, it was there that she met Steve, her life long love.

The two married on January 6, 1973, beginning more than five decades of marriage and the family that would become the center of her life. As every marriage does, they experienced their trials but more than anything they had a marriage rooted in friendship. They stood by one another when it seemed the chips were stacked against them, learning to compromise, understand and truly accept one another. They worked hard to have the bond they shared and remain the truest example to their family of a partnership anchored in love and friendship.

Over the years, their family grew to include five children: Erik (1975), Kent (1977) Lee (1979) Scott (1980) Katie (1990) having children in 3 separate decades. As their children grew, so did the family she loved so deeply. She welcomed Chantal (Erik), Charmaine (Kent), Jolene (Lee) and Jordan (Katie) into the family and ultimately became the proud “Gramma” or “Gaga” to fifteen grandchildren- a role that brought her tremendous joy and pride.

Erik & Chantal - Simone(2010), Max (2013)

Kent & Charmaine - Ella (2003), Beau (2005), Sam (2007), Sofia (2009), Pearl (2012)

Lee & Jolene - Marcus (2009), Kinsley (2016), Sawyer (2019)

Scott - Oliver (2014), George (2016)

Katie & Jordan - Everett (2018), Hazel (2021), Sybil (2022)

She was an integral part of so many groups and organizations, always keeping herself busy and giving of herself so freely. Some of these groups included the Knitting Guild, Christ the King, multiple Bunco Groups, Canasta Group, Mary’s Group, Bible Study, Soul Sisters, Housewives of Sutter and probably more.

She was a loyal and giving friend. She showed up for those in her life, usually with a bright smile and positive attitude. She was gentle and kind, a constant example of The Golden Rule. She was tough, tougher than most could appreciate. She rarely complained and handle life’s troubles and pains with faith and grace.

Jo was first diagnosed with Colo-Rectal cancer in May of 2021. Despite the devastating news and the fear it brought our family she remained our anchor always reminding us it was going to be okay. She fought hard to keep going and to be present in the lives of those she loved. There were many times she could have said she was done and enough was enough but she persevered and made us all stronger by her example. Steve fought along side her the entire journey. He was always there to encourage her all while honoring her wishes on how she wished to go about things. He will never fully understand the significance behind the way he loved & cared for her and how it was the most beautiful thing to witness.

Jo’s passing leaves behind an immense hole in so many lives. She was a loving and caring sister, aunt, niece, cousin, sister-in-law, and friend.

For our immediate family, she was our heartbeat, our matriarch, our treasured teacher. She consistently encouraged us, nurtured us, and was our biggest source of strength and love. She was someone we could always count on to be there with love and support. She was our first experience of love, a bond that cannot be broken. She was our fathers best friend, and the love and joy of his life. She is deeply loved and missed…

A Rosary will be held for Jo on Friday, October 23, 2026 at 8pm at St. Mel’s Church

A Funeral Mass will be held for Jo on Saturday, October 24, 2026 at 10:30am with a reception to follow at St. Mel’s Church.

All are welcome!

St. Mel’s Church: 4745 Pennsylvania Ave. Fair Oaks, CA 95628