Joanne M. Mayer, 68, of Portsmouth, NH, died Saturday, August 23, 2003, at the Northeast Rehabilitation Hospital in Salem, NH. She was born in Kansas City, MO on March 6, 1935 a daughter of the late Mancel and Maxine (McGhee) Smart. She had resided in Portsmouth for a brief time, formerly living in Hampton, NH from 1957-1982 and Kansas City, MO. She was a graduate of Wyndotte High School in Kansas City and had attended the University of NH in Durham, NH. She was a Cub Scout Den Mother in the 1960's. She was involved with the Accent Theater and had received notoriety as a lead actress in multiple roles in Kansas City. “Jo” as she was known was employed in Public Relations and Marketing for Theater by the Sea, of Portsmouth Prescott Park Arts Festival of Portsmouth, Dunfey/Sheraton Corp. of Hampton, Bisig/Noon Associates of Portsmouth, Jmark Associates of Bangor, ME, Portsmouth Regional Hospital, and as a co-owner of Little Professor Bookstore in Durham. Jo was a skilled piano, guitar and harpsichord player and was a music composer. She had received a harpsichord and was very adept on it, so much that she was asked to play for an open house in a historic home in New England. She also enjoyed extensive geneology research that contained over 40,000 names. She was a constant reader and enjoyed books and poetry. She was also very skilled in computer graphics design. Jo had traveled many places, had lived all over Eastern & Southern US and Kansas City. She had visited Europe many times and has friends all over the world.
She is survived by her husband, Donald A. Mayer of Portsmouth, her children, Stephen P. Bisig of Walkersville, MD, William F. Bisig of Portsmouth, her stepson, Gregory Mayer of Raymond, ME, her grandchildren, Aaron Bisig of Walkersville, MD, Rachel Mayer, Samuel Mayer both of Raymond, ME, her sister, Carol Smart Justice of Lees Summit, MO, several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two brothers, Jack Smart and Daniel Smart. She was also a foster parent to five children.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, August 28th at 2:00pm at the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 15 Birch St., Derry, NH with cremation following. Friends may call on Wednesday from 6 - 9pm at the funeral home.