Jo Anne Francis Holzman Battaglia's Obituary
Jo Anne Francis Holzman Battaglia was born October 8th, 1927 in Dallas Texas and she passed away on April 1, 2018 in Lewisville Texas. Jo Anne was the eldest daughter born to Dr. Jesse Arno Holzman and Lillie Platte Holzman. She had one younger sister Lillian Laverne. Dr. Holzman was a Veterinarian in WW I. He worked with the city of Dallas as the city veterinarian in charge of the Dairy Department. Dr. Holzman also established a veterinary practice specializing in small animals behind their home at 912 E 8th St and Jefferson. The young girls had lots of pets and were particularly proud of a crow that talked and several distinctive goats. Joanne attended catholic school in Dallas for her kindergarten year in 1932. She moved with her family to California in 1933 as her father had accepted work with the U.S Dept. of Agriculture Bureau of Animal industry. She recalled taking the ferry across San Francisco bay as the bridge was not yet completed. Dr. Holzman worked for the Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication Program so they moved a lot as he worked traveling from herd to herd throughout the state. Joanne and her younger sister excelled in multiple school districts in California and they accelerated through their classes.The family moved back to Texas in 1942. Tragically, her father died after being kicked by a mule in December 11th, 1942 when Joanne was only 15. Her mother moved the girls back to their home on 8th St and Jefferson where they raised chickens and doves. Joanne and her sister regularly attended Sunday school and church at 1st Methodist Dallas. She continued with her studies and graduated from Adamson high school, Class of 1945 with honors. She graduated with honorsfrom North Texas State Teachers College with a B.A. in medical technology in 1948, Followed by an M.A. in microbiology. She received her M.D. degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston in 1962, then pursued a residency in Pathology and became a lieutenant commander with the US public health service followed by a position in the department of pathology at St Paul Hospital Dallas. She married John Wesley Battalgia in 1967 and they had one son, John Henry Battaglia born 1/26/1968. They attended St. Rita’s Catholic Church. Joanne loved travelling, raising flowers, reading and learning. She spent the last years of her life continuing to study pathology and reading just about anything she could get her hands on. She is preceded in death by her beloved son, husband, and sister. She is survived by her daughter in law Wendy Moore, her three nephews, Dr. Travis Foster of Dallas (daughter Caroline), Dr. Eric Foster of Colleyville (wife Bonnie, sons Shawn, Neil, Conner, daughter Jenny) Dr. Mark Foster of Ponder TX (wife Susan), and step-children Suzanne Carkhuff of Uplands, CA, Carol Schantz of Laytonsville, MD, Thomas Hill of Southern Pines, NC and Jacqueline Smith of McMinnville, TNAt Jo Anne’s request no visitation, memorial or burial service will be held.
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