Mary Jo ("Jo") Cole (Mrs. Jo), beloved wife, mother, deaf educator, and historic preservationist, passed away on Sunday, June 16, 2024, at the age of 91. Jo's life was a testament to her intellectual curiosity, with special interests including pre-school education of the deaf, reading (especially non-fiction), family genealogy, historic preservation, antiques, textiles, sewing and needlework, as well as a deep affection for family, friends, and the places she called home throughout her life.

Born August 4, 1932, in Chicago, Illinois to Myrtle Clair and Harry Fay Wilson. She is preceded in death by her husband, Roy Cole, and her parents, as well as her siblings, Dessa Lorraine, Thomas, Waneta, Reid and Sandra. Jo was raised in the Chicago suburb of Dolton. Jo met the love of her life, Roy Cole, when she was assigned the seat in front of him in high school math class. They were married August 6, 1955, and shared a wonderful love and adventure filled life together for 64 years, 4 months and 13 days, until Roy's death in December 2019.

Jo was a graduate of Drake University. Returning to Drake, via train, after Christmas break, Jo had a chance encounter with a young deaf child. This meeting forever changed the trajectory of her life and spurred her interest in deaf education. Jo went on to earn her Master's Degree in Deaf Education from the University of Pittsburgh. She taught kindergarten in the Chicago area, then moved to Milwaukee in 1961 to teach for Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS).

"Mrs. Jo," as she was called in the classroom, spent her entire career with MPS (1961-1996) teaching in Room 2 of Neeskara-Binner Elementary School (now known as Neeskara Elementary School). She taught oral speech and lip-reading to deaf pre-school children, who came to her classroom the day after turning 3 and stayed with "Mrs. Jo" until First Grade, often learning their very first words from "Mrs. Jo." She was always immensely happy when her students visited her as adults, and was proud to know she had made a difference in their lives.

A resident of Wauwatosa for many years, Jo and Roy were active in historic preservation with the Wauwatosa Historical Society. For 28 years Jo and Roy owned one of the oldest Wauwatosa homes — the Thomas B. Hart House on Church Street — restoring it and preserving its Gothic Victorian architecture and successfully nominating the home for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. For her many hours on 3-story scaffolding, removing steel siding, stripping paint from the narrow wood clapboards and carved wood bargeboards, then re-painting the exterior of the home and trim with period appropriate colors, painting contractors at Steinkellner Decorating Center christened her "Our Lady of the Scaffolding." A Steinkellner's sweatshirt hangs in her closet to this day, a cozy paint-splattered memory of their thoughtful and detailed restoration work.

In 2001, Jo and Roy moved to Baileys Harbor, Door County after seasonally camping and vacationing there since 1962. Their historic preservation efforts continued in Door County with their log home, cabins, and workshop. Jo greatly enjoyed all their cabin guests at Loc Haven Log Cabins (people and pets), many of whom return every summer to this private haven, or as some have called it "heaven" on the lakeshore.

Jo was active with the Historical Societies in Wauwatosa and Baileys Harbor, and a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), Prairieville Pioneer Questers and various book clubs in Wauwatosa and Door County.

Jo is survived by her only child, daughter, Danita Cole Medved, her favorite son-in-law Paul Medved, brother-in-law Dale Cole, his wife Betty and their family, also nieces Reva Katzbeck (Dave) and Jet Middaugh, as well as other extended family and friends who will carry her memory in their hearts.

Jo's family is eternally grateful for the care and support provided by the staff of Eastcastle Place, and would also like to thank Legacy Hospice for their end of life care and guidance.

A private family memorial service will be held. Condolences may be shared on the funeral home website or mailed to Prasser Kleczka Bay View Chapel, 3275 S. Howell Ave., Milwaukee 53207. Memorials, if so desired, may be made to the Wauwatosa Historical Society or the Baileys Harbor Historical Society.