Jo Anne (Cenardo) Widdis was born 1934 in Revere, MO.
She grew up in Ft. Collins, Colorado. She enjoyed being a part of the drama clubs and graduated Ft. Collins High School in 1953.
Jo attended Nursing School at Northwestern University 1955, working for 8 years after graduation at Duke University Hospital. She then moved to San Francisco where she entered the US Air Force (USAF) Reserves as a Flight Nurse.
She met the love of her life, James “Jim” Widdis, a Captain in the USAF. They married Nov 16, 1963.
In the following years of marriage Jo followed Jim through his pilot training assignments and celebrated the births of her two sons, Douglas (1965) and Daniel (1967). Shortly after their 5th wedding anniversary Jim was sent to Vietnam and was shot down, declared MIA 23 Mar 69.
Jo moved to Colorado Springs in 1970, raising her boys on her own. She was a devoted mother and wife who never gave up hope for Jim’s return, active in The National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in South East Asia, until his remains were recovered in 1995 and laid to rest.
She loved being a registered nurse, certified (R.N.C.), beginning a second career at the Colorado College Student Center where she retired after 20 years in 2001.
Jo received her B.S. degree in Health Arts in 1983. She traveled with a Christian medical team to rural Romania several times between 1992-1997.
She had many experiences she said, “blessed me abundantly.” She cruised to Europe in 1957 and the Middle East in 1979, as well as visited Alaska, Ireland, Jamaica, Mexico and Hawaii.
Jo was always active with her family, friends, co-workers, and church community. She attended Village Seven Presbyterian and several Bible study groups faithfully. She has said, “Christian faith has carried me through many vicissitudes of life, and to have learned the true meaning of endurance.”
In her spare time, she liked to write prose and poetry. Jo was a loyal Denver Broncos fan and could be found cheering them on waving the blue and orange. Her love of dogs began at an early age and she had many beloved companions throughout her lifetime. Jo always made time to think of others, whether it was by sharing an article in the newspaper, writing uplifting poems, giving gifts or through her prayers. She always made it a priority to be at her grandchildren’s milestones. In her final days she was often heard proudly speaking of her accomplishments being an R.N.C. and raising her two successful sons on her own. Her 5 grandchildren gave her great joy when highlighting their activities and achievements.
Knowing Jo, you would always know her husband Jim, she instilled his sacrificial love of life and country into her family. Jo remained devoted and in love with him. Her children and grandchildren knew him and their love for each other. She made sure she let them know he would be proud of them. 50 years they have waited to be together again.
Jo died peacefully in her sleep living her last days in the Pacific Northwest.
Jo is survived by her sons, Douglas (April) Widdis and Daniel (Jacqueline) Widdis; her five grandchildren: Megan (Widdis) Fortner, Mallory Widdis, Simeon Widdis, Anneliese Widdis, and Arabella Widdis. She is preceded in death by her husband and love of her life, James “Jim” Widdis; beloved grandmother, Zilla “May” (Rose) Townsend; and parents, Enos “Doc” and Corrine “Tomi” (Townsend) Cenardo.
A funeral will be held at 10 am on March 6, 2019 at Shrine of Remembrance, 1730 E. Fountain Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO. A reception will be held following the funeral service at Olympian Plaza Reception and Event Center, 975 South Union Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO. Burial will be at the USAF Academy, Colorado Springs, CO.
Memorials in Jo Anne Widdis’ name may be made to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary at BestFriends.org and/or to Mission to the World at mtw.org/projects (ministry type: medical and community health).
Sandra and Roger Congleton
28 Feb 2019We met and loved Jim first, then met and loved JoAnne. Blessed to have known both of them, glad Jo can finally be at rest by Jim’s side. May God watch over this family.
Wanda Kohlman
28 Feb 2019That was a beautiful tribute to your mother. She lived a very full life. My prayers are with you always, Dan.
Eric M. Vogel
28 Feb 2019Doug, Dan and Families: Hearfelt condolences on the loss of Jo, such a beloved woman, mother, wife and friend. “Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.” Jo, at peace now with Christ—and Jim.
Love,
Eric
USAF Pilot Trng Class 67-G
2 Mar 2019Dan and Doug,
We are so sorry for the loss of your mother. We grieve for her as we did for your father. Our loss cannot be compared to yours, but we do share in your sorrow and we keep you in our thoughts and prayers. Jim and Jo Anne were part of our family, too.
USAF Pilot Training Class 67-G
John and Helen Mauss
2 Mar 2019Dan and Doug,
Please know that we are with you in spirit today and that only the strongest obligation prevented us from being there in person. We will pay our respects at her grave as soon as we are back in town. You are in our prayers. We hope you find comfort that your mother died in faith and in the knowledge that her memory is alive in both of you and that she was proud of the fine men you became.
Carolyn Collins Nelson
27 Mar 2019I just learned here about the passing of Jo Anne, my dear friend and classmate at Ft. Collins
High School. We kept in touch through the years and saw each other at class reunions.
After I moved to Pennsylvania with my husband in 2009, I lost contact with Jo Anne, but
I look forward to a reunion in heaven. She and I have shared our faith in Christ since teenage years. Now I pray God’s blessing and comfort on Doug and Dan and their families.
Betsy Collins Shafer
29 May 2019I’ve been thinking of Jo during the last day, what with Memorial Day . . . i remember going over to her house, because i was at home in Fort Collins for some reason, the morning after they found out Jim was missing . . . and how she told me no kind of success was worth losing Jim. . . . That’s stayed with me all these years . . . She was my older sister’s friend, but i always sorta felt like we were in the same family. I loved Grandma and Aunt Dode. . . . They lived a couple of blocks away, across from my school . . . i think i went to Good News Club at their house (it was a duplex, i think . . . small . . . but so homey . . . . ) So . . . i remember her, think of her and of Jim and think of a heavenly reunion . . . . She stays in my heart . . . .