Mrs. Mary Jo Clem's Obituary
Mary Jo Nichols Clem went home to be with the Lord on Monday, May 4, 2015. Known as “Jo” by her friends and family, she will be deeply missed by all. Jo was born on January 1, 1943 in Harlingen, Texas. At the age of 17, she got on a bus and moved to Dallas without knowing anyone. This marked the beginning of a life-long streak of independence. In 1963, she married Jim Clem and had three daughters. Jo would tell you that she grew up with her children, but they would tell you otherwise. Each daughter would claim Jo was the best mother from day one. Most of her nieces, nephews, and even the neighborhood children would also agree — many even thought of her as a second mom. Her love of children carried over into her professional life. She spent more than 30 years in the child care industry. Her happy smile and wonderful hugs touched the lives of everyone who knew her. Never one to sit still, Jo loved to travel. When Jim passed away, she picked a place on the map and moved to Grand Junction, Colorado, where she lived for six years. With the arrival of her first grandchild, she moved back to the metroplex. Jo is survived by her three daughters and sons-in-law: Dean and Laura Duggan, Mike and Charlotte Gruber, and Andy and Christine Haase, ten grandchildren: Maranda Cottington, Mallory Duggan, Garrett Duggan, James Wilkinson, Heather Hocevar, Amy Gruber, Taylor Gruber, Amanda Haase, and Christopher Haase, and six great-grandchildren. Jo is also survived by her brother and sister-in-law Lee and Carol Nichols, and her sister Nancy Whitten. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Dallas CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) or the Boys and Girls Club of the Metroplex are welcomed.
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