JO ANN (Known as "Jo" to her family and friends) passed away on September 20, 2011 in the Aspen Ridge Assisted Living Facility in Los Alamos. She was 77 years old. Jo was born on October 30, 1933, to Fred and Mabel Hail of Mountainair, New Mexico. After growing up in Mountainair, she went to Highlands University in Las Vegas, New Mexico where she completed a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education. Her first teaching assignment was in Los Alamos while the town was still behind government-controlled gates. During that time she completed additional graduate work in what would now be called gifted education during the summer program at the University of Nebraska. She met a gentleman physicist named Albert Barlich through the Young Adults Group at the Methodist Church, and they married on June 28, 1958. She ended her teaching career with the birth of their daughter, Gail. A son, Gary, followed later, and Jo stayed busy with the children's activities and other volunteer work. Jo had also been a member of the P.E.O. sisterhood since 1955. She had many positions in this service organization where she made many long-term friends. While her children were growing up, Jo began playing in the bell choir at the Methodist Church in Los Alamos and eventually became the director. She was very active in the American Guide of English Handbell Ringers, and served at many festivals and workshops as well as holding the position of National Treasurer. She also helped start and then directed several bell groups at the Methodist Church in White Rock. She returned to the workplace when Gary was in junior high, and worked as a circulation clerk at Mesa Public Library in Los Alamos. Then an opportunity to work in the Planning Department with Los Alamos County opened up, and she developed her administrative skills there. Following her time with Los Alamos County, she became a secretary at Los Alamos National Laboratory where she held a variety of administrative roles. She retired from the laboratory in 1996. Al and Jo had been married for over 50 years when he passed away in 2009. Surviving her include her sister Mary Louise Williams and her husband Mike in Jacona; Al's brother Eric Barlich of California; her daughter Gail Van Ryn, Gail's husband Brent, and their children Joel and Cara of Virginia; and her son Gary Barlich in Texas. A Memorial Service will be held at White Rock Methodist Church on Tuesday, September 27, at 10:00 am. A private burial will be held at Guaje Pines Cemetery in Los Alamos. The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff at Aspen Ridge who provided such attentive care while Jo lived there. In Lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Aspen Ridge in her memory. The family of JoAnn Barlich has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Espanola Valley. 505-747-7477 or www.devargasfuneral.com
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