Jo Ann Fisher Long

Jo Ann Fisher Long, 73, of Raleigh, NC died Thursday, January 5, 2012, at the Hospice Home of Wake County. She was surrounded by her family, and supported by many friends as she made her transition. Jo Ann was born on January 19, 1938 in Hanover Pennsylvania to Ernest Odell and Mary Isabelle Leffert Burkleo. She lived in Westminster, Maryland and then in Mount Union, Pennsylvania for her early years, then moved to San Diego, California with her family. She is survived by her husband, Kenneth J. Long, her children, Mitchell Stone, Malibu, California, Jonathan and Julie Fisher, Burbank, California, Beth Stone, Valencia, California, Rebecca and Doug Anders, Ventura, California and Kenâ€™s children, Kevin and Lysa Long, Raleigh, North Carolina, and grandchildren Tyler, Addison, Chelsea, Casey, Maizie, Jake, Layton, Lauren, Bronwyn, Emily whom she loved like her own. She also leaves her brother, Ernest Burkleo, El Cajon California, and sisters Kathleen Swarts, Ashland, Oregon, Carol Plescia, Chesterfield, Missouri, Linda Kingston, Burlington, Vermont and their spouses, James Swarts and Andrew Plescia as well as many loving nieces and nephews. It is difficult to say goodbye to a wonderful wife, mother and sister. Jo Ann moved to Raleigh in 2001, when she married Kenneth Long. They had 10 years together and packed wonderful experiences into those yearsâ€”Jo didnâ€™t believe in wasting time in bitterness or regrets-she lived her life to the fullest. She made many friends here in Raleigh and will be missed by us all. We will remember Jo Ann for her wonderful exuberance for lifeâ€”she adored art, literature, music and nature. She gathered her friends and family and lovingly opened her beautiful home to all who knew her. She became a second mother to Kevin and Lysa and was loved by their children. A celebration of Jo Annâ€™s life will be held at Renaissance Funeral Home, 7615 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, NC on Tuesday January 10, 2012 at 1 PM, with visitation to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to Hospice Home of Wake County, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27609.

Jo Ann Fisher Long

January 19, 1938 - January 5, 2012