JoAnn Strong

JoAnn Mary Strong Age 66 of Omaha, Nebraska passed away on October 26, 2024 surrounded by her family.

JoAnn will be remembered by her family and friends as a beautiful soul with a heart of gold that touched the lives of many. She loved her family deeply and had a special knack of always giving the perfect Christmas gift. She had a good sense of humor and loved Motown music. JoAnn was the oldest girl and liked to tell the story that at a young age she was in charge of baking birthday cakes in her E-Z Bake oven. She continued to bake throughout her adult life until her health wouldn't let her.

She was born January 26, 1958 to the late Regina (Savage) Haggerty in Chicago, Illinois. The family grew up on Tripp Ave. and cherished their neighbors the Miceli's and Dobryzski's. In 1976, Regina moved her family to Omaha to be near her sister.

JoAnn attended UNO and earned a degree in Criminal Justice. She went on to get her Master's in counseling while working and raising her twin sons Kevin and Keith. In 1983, she accepted a job at Community Alliance where her lifelong passion of helping those with chronic mental illness began. She was an active member of CoC (formerly known as MAACH) for many years. To really understand the impact Jo had in the mental health community, go read the tributes on Facebook, they are truly heartfelt.

JoAnn lovingly took on the responsibility of adopting her son Kevin's two children, Sam and Taylor and provided her with great pride.

JoAnn's children and grandchildren were some of her life's greatest joys. As an intensely private person, she kept a lot of her life private but made sure she was there for everyone else.

Unfortunately, JoAnn's health took a turn for a worse. She had breast cancer that did go into remission and then double lung cancer. She continued to work while undergoing treatment until February of 2022 when after working for Community Alliance for 38 years, she retired. During this last hospitalization, pneumonia led to sepsis and once it affected her heart, that led to multiple organ failure.

Retirement wasn't fun and ended up being short lived. When she wasn't going to appointments she filled her time with Facebook, and enjoyed staying in touch with friends. JoAnn loved shopping and her family called her the "Catalog Queen", but she transitioned to online shopping and she and Taylor enjoyed late night Amazon shopping marathons!

Despite any troubles that came JoAnn's way she was always steadfast in two beliefs: Everything will be okay and be kind.

She will be greatly missed by all those who loved her and had the pleasure of knowing her.

JoAnn left this earthly world Saturday October 26, 2024 to join her mother Regina, son Kevin, and sister Dawn Holdorf. She is survived by son Keith, brother Terry (Peggy) Haggerty, brother in law Kevin Holdorf, sister Lauren (Robert) Harry, sister Maureen Joerger (Todd Mickelson), grandchildren Sam, Dylan, and Taylor, many loving nieces and nephews and best friend Pat Frampton who shared in JoAnn's joys and stood by her side during some of her hardest times.

Visitation will be Friday November 1, 2024 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Good Shepherd Funeral Home, 3809 N. 90th St. Omaha, Nebraska 68134.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday November 2, 2024 10:00 AM at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church, 1920 N. 102nd St., Omaha, Nebraska 68114.