Jo Ann (Robieson) Coy

Jo Ann (Robieson) Coy, passed away December 27, 2021 in Sugar Land, TX at the age of 87.  She was born in Winfield, KS, the only child of Frank and Mildred (White) Robieson.   Jo Ann spent most of her life in Winfield, Wichita, and Clearwater KS.  She attended Winfield High School and Southwestern College.  She met her future husband, Kenneth Coy, in Colorado while her mother was getting her Master’s Degree.  They married May 27, 1956.

Like her mother, Jo Ann became a teacher and school librarian.  She started teaching at Howard High School.  In September, she started teaching at Wichita’s Truesdell Junior High School for four years.    Her daughter, Susan, was born in 1960.  Nine years later, she became librarian at Clearwater High School.   Starting a degree in Library Science at the University of Wisconsin in 1969, she finished her degree at Wichita State University.  After thirty years as librarian at Clearwater High School, she retired.

Besides fond memories of helping students in high school, she also enjoyed playing cards, reading, crocheting, camping, traveling (Colorado was a favorite) and vacations with Susan, Gregg and the grandchildren.  Great family trips to Hawaii, Grand Canyon, Pike’s Peak, Mesa Verde, and Disney World – twice!—were wonderful.  She and Ken always made time for family, traveling to Nebraska, Illinois, and Texas to make happy memories.   When Jo Ann joined Ken in retirement, they began their snowbird journeys to Mesa, AZ.  For 22 years, they spent winters among wonderful friends.    Other months of the year, they enjoyed monthly camping club trips to various KS cities, bus tours, and trips to Colorado, Utah, California, Wyoming and Alaska.  

When it was difficult to winter in Arizona, Ken and Jo Ann moved to Sugar Land, TX to be near  family in 2016.  They enjoyed residing in independent living communities where they could make new friends, continue to play cards, bingo and have weekly family meals with Susan and family.  Jo Ann moved to assisted living communities as she needed more care.   In her final weeks, hospice was a great help. 

She was a member of Clearwater United Methodist Church, BPW, Queen city chapter Eastern Star, and National Education Association.

She was preceded in death by her parents Frank and Mildred (White) Robieson.  She is survived by her husband Kenneth Coy, daughter Susan (Coy) Philbrick, son-in-law Gregg Philbrick, and grandchildren Jason and Ashley Philbrick. 

Visitation will be Friday, January 7, 2022, at Webb Shinkle Mortuary, 200 S. Tracy, Clearwater, KS from 9 AM to 7 PM with family present from 5:30 to 7 PM.  Funeral service will be January 8, at Clearwater Methodist Church, 130 N. First St., Clearwater,KS, at 11:00 a.m.  Burial in Highland Cemetery, Winfield, KS January 10, at 11:00 a.m.    Contributions may be made to Southwestern College, 100 College St., Winfield, KS 67156.  Clearwater United Methodist Church, 130 N. First St., Clearwater, KS 67026 or TruCare Hospice, 12808 W. Airport Blvd. Suite 303 C, Sugar Land, TX 77478.

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