Jo Ann Byers

After a long six-year battle with dementia, Jo Ann Byers passed away Friday, June 3, 2016. Jo Ann was living at Evergreen Estates, where she enjoyed the staff and other residents with their many gatherings and activities.

She was born to Mack and Irene Lipps on Dec. 14, 1931, in Lewiston. The family moved around Oregon, living in Baker City and Eugene. They finally ended up back in Lapwai, where in her early years she enjoyed playing at her Aunt Hatty Ingrham's store. Eventually, they moved back to Lewiston. Jo Ann had a rough go with illness as a child, enduring rheumatic fever in the first grade and scarlet fever in the third grade. Schooling took up a lot of her time. With great triumph, Jo Ann graduated from Lewiston High School in 1951.

After graduation, Jo Ann was employed by the architect Hugh Richardson, who designed Sacajawea and Jenifer junior high schools.

In 1960, Jo Ann married Evertt Byers. It was a small ceremony at her parent's home. The couple bought their dream home on Ridgeway Drive in Lewiston, where they had two boys. Raising those boys and taking care of her flower beds were the times she enjoyed most. Jo Ann tried to make everyone feel welcome, as the neighborhood kids well knew. If you were looking for one of the kids, they would be at the Byers' house. These years were her favorite times, and she enjoyed many trips to Hawaii and Florida.

Eventually, Jo Ann and Evertt divorced and Jo Ann took on another role to help her father take care of her mother, Irene, who had a long battle with Lou Gehrig's disease. Jo Ann later moved in to take care of her father in his later years and continued her mother's tradition of the glass slipper house on Normal Hill.

Jo Ann loved her time as a Pink Lady at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center and always attended the luncheons and auxiliary meetings. She loved her friends there and always looked forward to Mondays.

Jo Ann is survived by her two sons, Jay Byers of Lewiston and Joe (Vicki) Byers of Clarkston; and one grandson, Sam Byers also of Clarkston. As per family wishes, there will be no services. The family gives a heartfelt thank you for all of those who helped in making her last years so pleasant.