Jo Ann Bond, 90, of Broken Arrow, Okla., passed away after a long struggle with congestive heart failure on March 4, 2018. Jo Ann was born on January 15, 1928, in Okmulgee, Okla., to Iva Mae and George Green. She was one of eight children and the last surviving sibling. After graduating high school in Okmulgee, Jo Ann attended Oklahoma State University.

Jo Ann is survived by her daughter, Teresa Bond-Mason and her husband, Giles Mason, who she thought of as her son, both of Tulsa. She is also survived by grandchildren Stephanie Thomas of Dallas, Chad Bauman of Coweta, and Emma Mason of Tulsa. Also included are three great-grandchildren, Tyler, Hayden and Rylee, and four grand-cats, Ben, Casey, Lizzie and Tinkerbell. Jo Ann would also want her niece, Shirley Checco of Orange, Calif., mentioned, as she was not only her niece, but dearest friend.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 38 years, James Richard Bond and her daughter, Pamela Kay Pierce. She also was preceded in death by The Tulsa Tribune, a career near and dear to her heart.

Jo Ann's request was that she not be listed as a "domestic engineer," but rather honor her 37-year career at the paper. She served many roles at the Tulsa Tribune, but most notably, was the first woman assistant city editor. She was on the forefront of fighting for women's rights in the workplace. In 1969, Mayor Jim Hewgley proclaimed November 21 as Jo Ann Bond day for all of her contributions to city government and her profession. Throughout her tenure, she covered many "beats" but was most proud of interviewing Mother Teresa and Eleanor Roosevelt. Other highlights of her career including attending the National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., traveling throughout Europe and even to India to cover a story. She received many accolades along the way, but none she was more proud of than her recognition from Animal Aid for her work on the "Pet of the Week" column she developed, which placed hundreds of pets in their forever homes.

After her retirement, Jo Ann remained a news junkie and could debate any current event. She loved to bird watch, especially with her cat, Jewel. But life changed forever once her granddaughter, Emma was born - little else mattered. "Emmabug" as she referred to her, was the apple of her eye, and seldom a day went by she didn't see or talk to her. Even after Emma went away to college, Jo Ann, or, GaGa as she was known to Emma, always wanted to know what Emma's day entailed.

Other activities Jo Ann enjoyed throughout the years including traveling (especially to see her niece, Shirley), ceramics, music, crafts of all kinds, reading and gossiping with her daughter, Teresa. As Teresa recalls, "Mom said it's not gossip if you promise not to tell."  Her family recalls that Jo Ann was an extraordinary cook though after she retired, she said the kitchen was closed.

A memorial service will be held at All Souls Unitarian Church, located at 2952 S. Peoria Ave., in Tulsa, Okla., on March 23 at 4:00, with a small reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Heart Association.