Obituary

Josephine Anne “JoAnne or Jo” Thorson passed peacefully from her home in Goodyear Arizona on July 4, 2017, at the age of 78.

Jo is survived by her two sons Tye Thorson and Brendan Thorson, as well as four grandchildren, Anne, Cole, Chase, and Tanner.  She is preceded in death by one son, Merrick Thorson, and her former husband Robert Thorson, both of whom are interred in Bellevue, Washington.

Jo was born on August 16, 1938, to Michael G. Legaz and Anne M. Legaz (Toretich).  Jo was exceptionally close to both older sisters, Lorraine (Jefferson) and Mary Lou (Papa), as well as being very close to their families.  Jo graduated from Holy Rosary High School in West Seattle before attending Washington State University.  At WSU, Jo met her lifelong friend Carol, with whom she has spent countless hours giggling, telling stories, and taking on new adventures.

After leaving WSU, she took a job at Boeing in Seattle, where she met her husband, Robert, with whom she raised her 3 sons in Woodinville, Washington.

Jo LOVED SPORTS and was an athletic person in her own right.  Although soft-spoken and modest, she was very competitive.  She waterski’d and competed at tennis.  She taught her boys how to play baseball, tennis and snow ski.  She continued to play softball and tennis through her life, though snowskiing became a bit too cold for her likes.  She didn’t need a remote control for her TV; it was already on the Tennis channel.  Upon retirement, she discovered Pickle Ball, and developed a passion for the game.  She earned Gold Medals in San Diego at the Seniors Pickle Ball Championship games.  She continued to advocate for the sport, and helped recruit and teach players in her community, as well as her sons and grandchildren.

Jo was very good at creating balance in life.  She worked hard, volunteered for her church and for hospice, was very spiritual, and thoroughly enjoyed competing at games of all kinds.

A funeral is scheduled at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Litchfield Park on Wednesday, July 12, at 2 PM.  Refreshments will be served at St. Peters after the service.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Peters.

The family would especially like to thank all of Jo’s friends in Pebble Creek who took such good care of her — beginning before they knew of her cancer, and continuing for the entire course of her battle.