Mary Jo Ann Baker passed in peace and comfort on February 21, 2024 at the age of 74. Affectionately known to all as Jo Ann, she was a resident of Orlando from 1988, alongside her beloved husband of 52 years, William (Bill), until her passing.

Jo Ann was born on June 2, 1949, in Middletown, New York to her parents Joseph and Ursula Weber and grew up with five siblings, moving throughout the U.S. before settling in Indianapolis where she graduated high school from St. Agnes Academy.

After graduating from Marian College with a degree in physical education, Jo Ann met and married Bill on September 3, 1971, in Indianapolis. The young couple soon moved to Bartlesville, Oklahoma where they both worked as coaches for the Philips 66 Splash Club swim team. It was there in 1978 when Jo Ann and Bill welcomed their first child, William (Bill), Jr. Shortly after the birth of their son, the family moved to Ft. Wayne, Indiana, and Jo Ann soon left the coaching profession to take a job in insurance with Lincoln Financial. In 1981, Jo Ann and family would welcome their daughter, Katy Louise.

In 1987, Jo Ann and her family moved to Mt. Dora, Florida to begin a new adventure in life. Jo Ann quickly followed her dreams and accepted a position working at Walt Disney World in the group insurance department. In 1988, the family built a house in Orlando that Jo Ann would call her home forever. In her 27 years with Disney, Jo Ann reached the height of every department she worked in, including group insurance, Disney Casting, and Disney Cast Activities (Mickey’s Retreat) before retiring in 2014.

In 2014, Jo Ann’s first grandson, William III (Liam), was born, followed by her second grandson, Finnegan (Finn) in 2017. Her grandsons were the light of her life in retirement. She also enjoyed her time in retirement by traveling with her husband, whether it was by train or their RV, in addition to continuing to make her world-famous Christmas candies for the holidays.

Jo Ann will forever be remembered as the epitome of kindness, love and caring to all who were a part of her life. Her gentle spirit touched the lives of all who knew her. She had a heart full of love and genuinely cared for everyone she met.

Jo Ann’s passing was preceded by her father Joseph and mother Ursula, as well as her brother Chris and sister Kay.

Jo Ann is survived by her husband Bill, her two children, Bill, Jr. and Katy, two grandsons Liam and Finn, daughter-in-law Erin and son-in-law Bryan, and her brothers Greg, Doug and her twin Mike.

Per Jo Ann’s wishes, there will be no funeral or service held. In lieu of flowers, her wishes were to make donations in her honor to either the American Lung Association or the American Heart Association. The family will hold a Celebration of Life in her honor on June 2, 2024. Information will be sent to all family and friends.

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