Obituary

Barbara Jo Ann Hoy

Retired United States Navy Commander

Barbara Jo Ann Hoy passed from this life

at her home in State College on

Tuesday,  July 27, 2010.

Jo Ann was born in State College on

June 29, 1929, attended State College High School and Penn State, graduating with a

Bachelor of Science degree in 1951.

She was commissioned as an ensign in the

U. S. Navy in December 1952, beginning a

remarkable military career spanning 22 years

and culminating with her retirement at the

rank of commander in March 1974.

Jo Ann served the Navy in training and administrative capacities throughout

 the United Stated and abroad.

Her special interest was advising and

overseeing appropriate training and

utilization of enlisted and officer women

throughout all Naval Air Reserve Commands.

She received a Navy Commendation medal

and National Defense Service Medal

with a bronze star.

Her promotion to commander in 1969 placed her

among a select group of women to achieve

that rank. Post military service, Jo Ann served as

a member of the Board of Directors, U. S. Navy League, Washington, D. C. and a task force

consultant, Commonwealth of Virginia,

Department of Mental Health.

She volunteered at the State College Food Bank

and as a member of the Biomed Institutional

Research Board at Penn State. 
 

Well known for her "can do" attitude,

Jo inspired all who knew her by

participating fully in life. Her enthusiasm

was contagious and her interests varied.

From her military service to political support,

outdoor sports and "special projects," Jo

was passionate about whatever she did.

She was an avid fan and supporter of

Penn State football and the PSU Lady Lions

basketball. Gold was another dedication.

Jo was a longstanding member of the

Blue Course Ladies Golf League in

State College and organized the annual

championship tournament. She also participated

in the Geri Reeve Open Golf Tournament

to benefit breast cancer.

For years Jo and her RV, "The Restless Wave"

were a familiar site along I-95 to Florida, the

Carolinas and the Chesapeake Bay, Md.

With her dogs riding shotgun, this tradition of

visiting special friends, playing golf and

kayaking was typical "Jo." As a member

of the Board of Directors of the Nittany

Greyhound chapter of the Greyhound Rescue

League, much of her energy in recent years

was devoted to the acquisition of development

of Rooo Valley, the local kennel facility that

houses greyhounds in transition and serves

as the hub of Nittany's adoption activities.

Jo Ann is the daughter of the late

Eugene M. and Mildred Louise McMullen Hoy,

of State College. She is survived by her sister,

Judy Llewellyn; a brother, Ken; and sister-in-law,

Rosie Hoy, also of State College.

Nieces Deborah Llewellyn, of Leesburg, Va,

and Dian Llewellyn-Brown with her husband,

Richard, and their sons, Maximillian and

Alexander, reside in Potomac, Maryland.

A niece, Pam, and her husband, Jack Guisewite,

with their daughter, Melinda Parsons, and

their son, Tyler Guisewite, reside in McClure.

A nephew Dr. Kevin Hoy and his fiancé, Somier,

of Sagamore Hills, reside in Cleveland.

The family has planned a memorial service

celebrating Jo Ann's life at 10:30 a.m. Saturday,

August 7, 2010. The casual gathering will be held

on the lawn at Rooo Valley Farm, Home of the

Nittany Greyhounds Adoption, 30 TLD Circle,

Port Matilda. We will be prepared for rain.

Donations on Jo Ann's behalf may be made to

Women in Military Service for America

Memorial Foundation, Dept. 560,

Washington, DC 20042 or Rooo Valley,

Home of Nittany Greyhounds Adoption,

30 TLD Circle, Port Matilda, PA 16870.

Arrangements are under the direction of

Koch Funeral Home, State College.

Cool Greyhound Photo Found on...

www.nittanygreys.org