|
Jo Marie Brown Gafos
May 6, 1944 - January 20, 2024
Jo Marie passed away quietly on January 20, 2024, in Baltimore, Maryland, while recovering from hip surgery after a fall. She was predeceased by her husband Adamandios Gafos. She is survived by her daughters Heather Armstrong and Stacey Armstrong Massey and by her sons John Gafos (Sheena) and George Gafos (Alana Henninger). Jo Marie was the doting grandmother of four little boys: Jacob Massey, Adamandios Gafos, Constantinos Gafos, and Elijah Gafos.
People gravitated to Jo Marie's welcoming smile, her gentle nature, and her helping hand. Beneath that smile was a power house! Her compassion led her to become a grief counselor for Gilchrest Hospice. Her fundraising skills benefitted the Greater Baltimore Medical Center. Her religious commitment was demonstrated by assisting in every aspect of The Cathedral of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, especially by helping needy families with dignity, compassion and discretion.
Jo was also proud of her Cherokee and Choctaw heritage. For over 30 years, she organized a bi-annual family reunion in Oklahoma which drew more than 150 cousins. This was an opportonity to strengthen family bonds and to share her heritage with her own children.
Above all, Jo Marie was a wonderful daughter, mother, and grandmother and she leaves a legacy of love. https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/baltimoresun/name/jo-gafos-obituary?id=54166623
|
Elizabeth Bubb (Wilson)
My friendship with Jo Marie Brown lasted 65 years. I still can't quite grasp that she is gone.
I don’t recall when we met exactly, but by freshman year of high school, we were definitely “best friends”. With the last names of Brown and Bubb, our lockers were close to each other so we usually walked together to class and then would meet for lunch on the lawn. While we did not share many classes, we took every class in the business department together. Our parents wanted us to have practical skills for employment. In the spring of our senior year, we attended school in the morning and had office jobs in the afternoon.
Our main activity as friends was talking - in person or on the phone – about school, friends, church activities and boys. Jo was more successful than I was at flirting. No one could resist those gorgeous eyes!
The same qualities that defined Jo Marie as an adult were there in her younger self. She was a consistent friend who could be counted on in any situation. She was fair, generous, honest and kind. She was a good listener and offered thoughtful opinions. She believed in community and worked toward making hers a better place.
I am so blessed in the quality and longevity of my friendship with Jo Marie. Our friendship and the love we had for each other was precious. She was a rare individual and such a special friend.
Jo Marie with my husband Walt and myself as we all experience our first hot air balloon ride in 2012 at the Napa pre-party for our 50th Reunion.
Susan Mack (Sugden)
I'm so sad to hear of Jo Marie's passing. She had a lovely smile... from her LAHS grad picture to the one while hugging her BFF, Elizabeth. I'm sure there were many wonderful memories they shared together. I wish the family condolences and comfort to her family and friends. Sue (Mack) Sugden