Mrs. Jo Ann Isberg Eckels, a longtime resident of Andover died in a car accident with her beloved husband, the late James M. Eckels, on Friday, August 17, 2012. She was 72 years old. Born in Duluth, Minnesota, on September 7, 1939, she was the daughter of the late Joel and Helen Meyers Isberg.
Jo Ann had worked for the past 25 years at the General Lawrence Family Health Center, initially as the Director of Family Support Services responsible for the Maternal Child program and most recently as a coordinator for the prenatal program as a nurse educator. Jo Ann received a BS in Nursing from the University of Wisconsin, School of Nursing in 1961, a Master of Science for Maternal and Child Health from Boston University School of Nursing in 1965 and a Master of Science in Hygiene from Harvard University School of Public Health in 1971. She was most recently a graduate of the Frontier School of Nursing and Midwifery in 2000 and was a Certified Nurse-Midwife. Jo Ann was an RN and worked for many years as a staff nurse in pediatrics and maternity and as a visiting nurse in general and maternal-child health. Jo Ann was also a nursing educator and worked as an Assistant Professor at Boston University, Boston College School of Nursing, Harvard Medical School, and Northern Essex Community College and continued to work as an educator both personally and professionally over the course of her career. Jo Ann worked as a staff midwife at Hearts and Hands Midwifery Services for ambulatory well-woman care. Jo Ann received an Outstanding Nurse Award, Merrimack Valley AHEC Nursing Task Force in 1992 and a Partners in Excellence Award, Partners Health Care in December 2001.
Jo Ann was a member of the American College of Nurse-Midwives, Massachusetts Public Health Association, Midwives Alliance of North America, National Association of Childbearing Centers, and Sigma Theta Tau, a professional nursing honorary, Boston University Chapter.
Jo Ann was a professional dedicated to the health of women and families with a special commitment to underserved communities. She was known for her quick smile, sense of humor and for kindness and patience in even the most demanding situations. She loved her morning coffee on the shady back deck of her home watching the birds at the bird feeder and listening to music. Her latest achievement was as beloved grandmother to her granddaughters, Helen and Maeve.
Jo Ann will be truly missed by her loving children; Marcella R. Eckels and her husband John P. O'Connell of Brooklyn, New York, John C. Eckels of Burlington, Vermont and James J. Eckels of Los Angeles, California, twin granddaughters; Helen and Maeve O'Connell, both of Brooklyn, New York and cousins; Wm. Peter McCulloch and Fred See, both of Duluth, Minnesota and Henry See of North Carolina.
The funeral service for James and Jo Ann was celebrated in the West Parish Church, 129 Reservation Road, Andover, on Saturday, August 25th at 10:00 a.m. Many relatives and friends respectfully attended. Calling hours were held in the Burke-Magliozzi Funeral Home, 390 North Main Street, Andover, on Friday, August 24, 2012, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Burial was in Spring Grove Cemetery in Andover. Donations in James and Jo Ann’s memory may be made to the National Audubon Society or the Lazarus House Ministries, Inc. For additional information, please visit, www.burkemagliozzi.com.