Verna Josephine "Jo" Marshall

Celebrating a long and beautiful life -- Verna Josephine “Jo” Marshall Born March 23, 1920 in Anacortes, Washington to Robert and Verna Fulton, Jo was raised with her brothers and her sister to be a member of the Greatest Generation. Her work ethic, desire to excel in everything she took on and her strong sense of adventure guided her throughout her ninety-five years. Jo attended schools in Susanville, CA, excelled academically and attended the University of California at Berkeley, where she earned a degree in journalism. She met her husband Fred C. Marshall and lived with and loved him for the next fifty years. A trailblazer for generations of women to follow, Jo excelled as a high school basketball player at a time when women in sports was a rarity. Jo was tall – 5 ft 10 inches - and attracted everyone who met her with her joy in life and her gracious personality. Jo taught elementary school in the Sacramento area for over twenty years where she was in great demand by parents wanting their children to have the benefit of her high expectations and instructional creativity. A summer home in Sawyers Bar became a treasured destination for the family for many years. When Fred passed on over 25 years ago, Jo sold their home in Sacramento and moved to Etna, where she made many friends and chose to spend the rest of her life. Jo celebrated her 95th birthday this past March. Always the competitor, she fully intended to reach her 96th birthday, the age at which her father died. She took charge of her life at the end as she always had, insisting that she did not want heroic efforts to keep her alive. Jo Marshall died as she had lived every day of her life…with strength, courage and beautiful thoughts. Jo will be sorely missed by her children Richard, Kit, and David, her beloved caretaker Billie Sutter, her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and her many friends over the years. On Sunday night, in Rogue Valley Medical Center, Jo confidently left us behind to join her beloved husband Fred, son Forrest, and her two animal companions, KC and Sophie. Graveside services will be held in Sacramento on Thursday, July 16 at Sierra Hills Memorial Park, 5757 Greenback Ln at 11 AM. A celebration of Jo’s life will be held at the Scott Valley Berean Church in Etna on Tuesday, July 21 at 10:30 AM.

Verna Josephine "Jo" Marshall

March 23, 1920 - July 13, 2015